Four individuals and groups were recognized on April 27 at the annual Chesterfield Volunteer Recognition Celebration as recipients of the 2026 Chesterfield Community Champions awards.
The program, managed by Community Engagement and Resources, was created in 2020 to honor residents who volunteer their time and resources to bring positive change to their communities. The awards highlight the importance of volunteer service and celebrate residents making a difference.
This year’s honorees include Bryce Worsley in the Teen category for dedicating 280 hours to Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Fun in the Sun Camp last summer. Worsley became a leader within the camp community, supporting campers with social-emotional regulation while modeling patience, kindness, and responsibility. He was also selected as the inaugural host of Chesterfield’s Got Talent Youth Showcase.
Julie Gregory received recognition in the Adult category for her work with Mercy Mall since June 2022. Gregory contributed approximately 400 volunteer hours in 2025 alone, leading evaluation of donated baby equipment and hosting safety seat check events through the Virginia Department of Health. She is a Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.
In the Senior category, Pete Adler—known as “The Ramp Guy”—was honored for constructing more than 600 accessibility ramps with Grace Lutheran Church volunteers across Tri-Cities. Adler has helped low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities remain safe at home by improving accessibility.
The Group award went to RVA The Village Be Kind Volunteers for supporting families facing hardship through donations such as clothing, food, diapers, or bikes for children. Their efforts help The Village Be Kind serve community needs promptly when they arise.
Chesterfield County Public Schools District enrolled over 64,000 students during the recent school year; Thomas Dale High School had the highest enrollment among local schools with more than 2,500 students; white students represented about 43% of district enrollment while Black students accounted for about one-quarter; overall county school enrollment increased slightly from last year; Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy led pre-kindergarten enrollments while Old Hundred Elementary School welcomed most kindergarteners—all according to the Virginia Department of Education.
