> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.richmonder.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Richmonder 25: Meet the 2026 honorees - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-meet-the-2026-honorees/ - Published: 2026-08-21T18:58:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-26T13:31:04.000Z - Description: The Richmonder 25 program honors the people who make us proud to be Richmonders! - Author: Richmonder Staff - Tags: Events, #the-bridge ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/07/Richmonder-25-standard.jpg) Earlier this year we asked our readers to nominate a Richmonder who takes it upon themselves to make Richmond a better place. And you delivered! We narrowed down from more than 100 submissions to arrive at this year's list of The Richmonder 25\. We are profiling each of the honorees in our newsletter, and will celebrate them with a party in September. ### The party: **When:** Friday, September 25\. Doors at 5 p.m, program at 6:15 p.m. **Where:** The Hippodrome Theater, 528 N. 2nd Street **What:** Heavy hors d'oeuvres, full bar, music, free parking **Dress:** Cocktail festive! **Cost:** [**$115 for the public, $85 for Richmonder donors**](http://onecau.se/%5Fmt3xg1) (use code Richmonder1 for one ticket, or Richmonder2 for a couples ticket) Interested in a table for you and your friends or colleagues? [**Find those here.**](http://onecau.se/%5Fmt3xg1) We're honored to welcome Perris Jones, former UVA football player and author of *Ashes to End Zone*, as our keynote speaker. Perris will share his inspiring story of resilience, reflecting on how a life-altering injury on the football field transformed his purpose and led him to a life of service to others. [**Buy your tickets here.**](http://onecau.se/%5Fmt3xg1) We hope you'll join us as we bring the community together to recognize these remarkable individuals! Stories honoring this year's honorees will run each Monday, Wednesday and Friday in The Richmonder. Come back from now through September to meet them! ### The honorees: July 20: [**Firewood volunteer Steve Allen delivers warmth to Richmonders who need it**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-firewood-volunteer-steve-allen-delivers-warmth-to-richmonders-who-need-it/) July 22: [**Sherrie McKeithan's impact reaches every corner of Westover Hills**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-sherrie-mckeithans-impact-reaches-every-corner-of-westover-hills/) July 24:[**Joe Kelleher went back to school in his 80s to help veterans with PTSD**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-joe-kelleher-went-back-to-school-in-his-80s-to-help-veterans-with-ptsd/) July 27: [**Megan Shockley hosts evenings of music and human connection**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-megan-shockley-hosts-evenings-of-music-and-human-connection/) July 29: [**Keys Pattie is the glue holding Richmond's ultimate frisbee scene together**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-keys-pattie-is-the-glue-holding-richmonds-ultimate-frisbee-scene-together/) July 31: [**Whether it's archery or baking, Amanda Robinson makes space for others**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-whether-its-archery-or-baking-amanda-robinson-makes-space-for-others/) Aug. 3: [**Jim Bailey helps prisoners make the most of their fresh start**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-jim-bailey-helps-prisoners-make-the-most-of-their-fresh-start/) Aug. 5:[**‘Silly Genius’ is creating a city where everyone can be a creator**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-silly-genius-is-creating-a-city-where-everyone-can-be-a-creator/) Aug. 7: [**LaDonna Lewis ensures no young woman feels alone while battling breast cancer**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-ladonna-lewis-ensures-no-young-woman-feels-alone-while-battling-breast-cancer/) Aug. 10:[**Gabriela León-Pérez does research to offer real-world solutions**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-ri-gabriela-leon-perez-is-bringing-the-academy-to-the-community/) Aug. 12: [**Coach Loretta Watson has been cheering on Richmond's girls for 30 years**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-coach-loretta-watson-has-been-cheering-on-richmonds-girls-for-30-years/) Aug. 14: [**Shuttle driver Sean Hackney makes visits memorable**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-shuttle-driver-sean-hackney-makes-visits-memorable/) Aug. 17: [**Lea Whitehurst-Gibson works to amplify Southside's voice**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmond-25-lea-whitehurst-gibson-works-to-amplify-southside-richmonds-voice/) Aug. 19: [**Christie Chipps Peters leads Richmond Animal Care and Control with optimism**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-christie-chipps-peters-leads-richmond-animal-care-and-control-with-optimism/) Aug. 21: [**Nikkia Young keeps Richmond running**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-nikkia-young-keeps-richmond-running/) Aug. 24: [**Sarah Matalavage drives to improve literary access in the Enchanting Bookmobile**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-sarah-matalavage-drives-to-improve-literary-access-in-the-enchanting-bookmobile/?fbclid=IwY2xjawT6eEhwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7NyTRBWx975vQjLCTLhZGn8O6DuRQ%5FTP1NISYMi0XqBuDc3K9O4t7wxiW7Tg%5Faem%5F46W2GsvedygLnchusPwASg) Aug. 26: [**Shawntee Wynn stands by victims of domestic violence**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-shawntee-wynn-stands-by-victims-of-domestic-violence/) Aug. 28: **Regina Chaney fights for fairness in housing** Aug. 31: **Retirement won't stop Dr. Joann Henry's passion for education** Sept. 2: **Mollie Reinhart fosters connection through compassion** Sept. 4: **Dr. Jeff Mapp goes the distance to provide pediatric care** *Stay tuned for more throughout the summer!* --- ### Series sponsor: [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/04/Richmonder-Ad-Imagery.jpg)](https://www.work4estes.com/) Proud to call Richmond home, Estes is driven by people who go the extra mile — every day, for every customer. As the nation’s largest privately held freight carrier and a Richmond Top Workplace, we’re always looking for great people to join our team. [Explore careers at Estes](https://www.work4estes.com/)