Tourism Gives Back
The VA1 Governor’s Tourism Summit partners with local nonprofit organizations each year, and our partners for the 2024 conference are The United Way of Southwest Virginia and Junior Appalachian Musicians.
The United Way of Southwest Virginia
Our Mission: United Way of Southwest Virginia fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Southwest Virginia because they are the building blocks for a good quality of life.
Communities across Southwest Virginia depend on United Way of Southwest Virginia to quickly mobilize to meet immediate needs and assist in long-term recovery after disaster strikes. United Way of Southwest Virginia has the capacity, experience, and working relationships to provide the resources needed for relief and recovery.
Hurricane Helene caused devastation throughout Southwest Virginia and the New River Valley in communities such as Damascus and Taylor’s Valley from September 26-28, 2024, requiring emergency evacuations and swift water rescue efforts. Thousands of residents were forced from their homes with only the clothes on their backs, and even more were left without electricity and safe drinking water.
Junior Appalachian Musicians
Our Mission: To provide communities with the tools and support they need to teach children to play and dance to traditional old time and bluegrass music.
About the JAM Program: JAM is an after-school program for children in grades 4 – 8 and beyond that introduces music through small group instruction on instruments common to the Appalachian region, such as fiddle, banjo and guitar. In JAM, instrument instruction is often augmented by dance and vocal instruction as well as string band classes and group enrichment lessons, which introduce children to additional Appalachian culture and history. JAM now works with over 60 affiliates across the southeastern United States, including programs in nearby Montgomery County, Franklin County, Wythe County, Galax, Floyd and more.
