MEGA Mentors

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of long-time mentor and board member Greg Cummings. Greg leaves behind a tremendous legacy of community caring and building.

Gregory A. Cummings Obituary (1955 - 2023) - Richmond, Virginia Gregory A. was born on October 19th, 1955 and passed away on May 20th, 2023 at the age of 67

The giddy laughs of MEGA Mentors’ Elementary Schoolers filled Uptown Alley on Saturday, April 22nd as mentees and their families were invited together to celebrate the culmination of a successful year of the ES Reading Programs. Bowling, arcade games, food, and fun company were all enjoyed by mentors, students, and families alike. Thank you to all who made our Elementary School programming a success!

After a three year hiatus due to COVID, MEGA Mentors' middle and high schoolers finally got to return to the charter buses for the 2023 annual field trips back in March! The middle school program included a campus tour of Richard Bland College and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The high school program ventured east to tour Old Dominion University and The Mariners' Park and Museum. The trips achieved their educational and experiential purpose for MEGA Mentor students. Special thanks to all the chaperones who made this possible!

Our wonderful community partners are hosting an event next weekend geared toward 8-12 graders. Click on the link for more info and to sign up!
https://bit.ly/3FEF6kK_CACDSTyoungleaders2023

MEGA students at Manchester Middle School had the opportunity to meet and hear stories and life lessons Tuesday from retired NBA star Johnny Newman! He spoke about the importance of being prepared, studying and goal setting. David Altizer, Manchester's principal, shared how Mr. Newman signed a basketball for him when he was a kid attending his first NBA game. Thank you to MEGA Mentor Greg Hillman for coordinating this awesome experience! Courtesy photos.

Manchester Middle School Home of the Lions
Johnny Newman

Check out our accomplishments this past year!

https://youtu.be/nVA4xO9PAeA

"MEGA Mentors has made tremendous progress since the organization started in 2009 when former Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) Superintendent Dr. Marcus Newsome rallied community leaders to unite and mentor local students who needed guidance and assistance. Since that defining year, we have grown into a diverse team of over 550 members who have selflessly dedicated more than 220,000 volunteer hours. We have grown to meet a growing need by actively mentoring over 3,800 boys and girls in elementary through high school and have awarded $45,700 in financial aid to our college and military-bound graduates. We have also invested over $770,000 for programs, including $50,000 in MEGA program grants to participating schools."

Ed Baine, President

For any person that contributed their time, talent or treasure, we thank you from the bottom of our heart.

With gratitude,
MEGA Mentors

The beautiful works of Alfred Addo and other dynamic artists are on sale today at the 12th Annual Fine Art Benefit and Sale. See you there!

Tomorrow's the day! We can't wait to see all of you at the Hippodrome tomorrow for a night of arts and entertainment. Visit www.megamentors.org/fabs for more information!

Register today at www.megamentors.org/fabs

Got your tickets yet? We're just one day away from seeing all your smiling faces at the Hippodrome for the 12th Annual Fine Arts Benefit and Sale. We are so happy to be back! Visit www.megamentors.org/fabs for more info.

We're so excited to have Cloud9 back at the 12th Annual Fine Art Benefit and Sale to serenade us with their smooth Jazz, melodic R&B instrumentals, and vocal music! Tickets are still on sale at www.megamentors.org/fabs; grab yours today.

These are just a few beautiful sculptures from the Zimbabwe Collection that will be displayed at the 12th Annual Fine Arts Benefit and Sale. You won't want to miss out! Visit www.megamentors.org/fabs for tickets.

It's always a night of fun, fellowship, and Fine Arts at the MEGA Mentors Fine Arts Benefit and Sale. Make sure to get your tickets now; we're only three days away! www.megamentors.com/fabs

The Season of Sharing is almost over! Please help us meet our goal on this last stretch: 1) Make a donation 2) Register and participate in the online auction and art sale 3) Attend the Fine Art Benefit & Sale. We hope to see you at FABS next Friday at the Hippodrome!
https://conta.cc/3QmU1UB

to the 11th Annual Fine Art Benefit and Sale! We are so excited to get together again next Friday. For tickets and more information, visit www.megamentors.org/fabs

We're eight days away from our 12th Annual Fine Art Benefit and Sale! An event you won't want to miss. Get your tickets today at www.megamentors.org/fabs

Our FABS event is always such a great time! You definitely won't want to miss this one. Get your tickets today at www.megamentors.com/fabs

The late Ernest Withers is our second 2023 FABS featured artist. He was an African-American photojournalist who documented over 60 years of African-American history in the segregated Southern United States with iconic images. See art like this and more at our 12th annual 2023 FABS event. Get your tickets today at www.megamentors.com/fabs

Meet Alfred Addo, one of our 2023 Featured Artists! Working out of Georgia, Alfred Addo is most known on the African continent and in his native country, Ghana, for his broad and charismatic artworks that capture the spirit of the Ghanaian people. See the work of Addo and many others on January 13th at our 12th annual FABS event. Get your tickets at www.megamentors.com/fabs

For over a decade, our signature fundraising event has been FABS. We're excited that our expansion to our virtual Season of Sharing allows more people, near and far, to support the efforts of MEGA Mentors. Please click here to help us meet our crowdfunding goal: https://bit.ly/3Ce1GPB

This is just some of the fantastic work you will see from our featured artists, Alfred Addo and Ernest Withers, at the 2023 FABS Art Sale. Get your tickets now at megamentors.org/fabs

Happy Holidays from your MEGA Mentors Family! It's that time of year. Website

Need some last minute impressive and thoughtful holiday gifts? Check out our wide variety of beautiful artwork and auction items!

MEGA's Season of Sharing Online Auction and Art Sale are live! It's that time of year! Donate The Online Art Sale and Online Auction are live! Representation of "Let the Light Shine Through" 12x16 offset lithograph by Fanta Celah. This piece and others are availa

Join us as we kick off the 2022/2023 Season of Sharing featuring the Fine Art Benefit and Sale!

MEGA's Season of Sharing has officially kicked off! It's that time of year! Donate The Season of Sharing has officially started! Representation of "Blues Old and Gray" 24x33 S/N offset lithograph by Danny Broadway. Join us as we kick off the 2022/2023

MEGA Mentors received one of six grants awarded in November 2020 by the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation in partnership with Advisor Group, a national financial services firm. The Fundraising Committee applied for the grant to support MEGA's programs, which received
$10,000 in funding from Invest in Others. Grant applications were open exclusively to Advisor Group customers actively volunteering in a charity.

Invest in Others serves communities in need by providing critical support for nonprofit organizations. The foundation channels the philanthropy and volunteerism of the finance industry into vulnerable communities and under-resourced causes.

Mark your calendars!

Save the Date: MEGA's 12th Annual Fine Art Benefit & Sale It's that time of year! Donate Save the Date Season of Sharing Featuring the 12th Annual Fine Art Benefit & Sale December 1, 2022 - January 13, 2023 It's that time of year again!  The Season of Shari

Congratulations to Chesterfield County Public Schools J.G. Hening Elementary School for receiving the MEGA Mentors School of the Year Award! Read the story here: http://ow.ly/yQr150L28UV

Come join an elite group of community volunteers! Start by filling out a membership application at www.MEGAMentors.org and then sign up for the required training. We look forward to meeting you soon!

ACTION: please complete your MEGA Mentors membership training RSVP for the required member training. Donate Register for the Upcoming New Member Orientation & Training Complete Your Membership with MEGA Dear MEGA Member, Our records indicate you have submitted

Join us for a MEGA Orienation and Training session to complete your membership! If you'd like to join MEGA, please fill out a membership application on our website first, then register for training. See you there!
https://conta.cc/3D6UshqA

REMINDER: please complete your MEGA Mentors membership training RSVP for the required member training. Donate Register for the Upcoming New Member Orientation & Training Complete Your Membership with MEGA Dear MEGA Member, Our records indicate you have submitted

We’re excited to be joining to participate in the virtual Back to School Mentor Open House on Tues. 9/27 at 6 pm! This is a great opportunity to learn about our mentoring program, along with 10 other programs in Central VA. We’re all seeking new volunteers to get involved! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/CentralVAMentor

Here are the programs that will be joining us: AMP Metro Richmond, Big Brothers Big Sisters Richmond/Tri-Cities/Hampton Roads/VA Peninsula, Mentor Virginia CricketTogether, GirlstwoWomen Virginia, Girls For A Change, Girls on the Run of Greater Richmond, Henrico Heroes Mentoring Program, Higher Achievement, MEGA Mentors, Partnership for the Future, & the Take 5 Mentoring Program at Petersburg City Public Schools.

New members please complete your membership by taking the required training. If you'd like to join MEGA Mentors, please fill out a membership application on our website and sign up for the upcoming training. We look forward to see you all soon!

ACTION: please complete your MEGA Mentors membership training RSVP for the required member training. Donate Register for the Upcoming New Member Orientation & Training Complete Your Membership with MEGA Dear MEGA Member, Our records indicate you have submitted

https://conta.cc/3QLCRiK

Did you RSVP for the MEGA Mentors Annual Membership Meeting? Learn about our mission and accomplishments. Donate Dear Current and Future MEGA Members, It's time for the MEGA family to meet and discuss the year's accomplishments and the path ahead. We will also

https://conta.cc/3b23sIT

RSVP for the MEGA Mentors Annual Membership Meeting Learn about our mission and accomplishments. Donate Dear Current and Future MEGA Members, It's time for the MEGA family to meet and discuss the year's accomplishments and the path ahead. We will also

Three students from and another from Manchester High School (Virginia) along with 16 students from across the country are the newest alumni of the Policy Pathways Summer Academy for Policy Leadership and Public Service Online (SAO).

Through the partnership of Policy Pathways, Inc., Signs & Wonders Ministries, and , four students participated in a two-week rigorous college online program that exposed them to the field of public service, policy making, and public administration.

The program concluded this past weekend with presentations of the students five capstone projects. The presentations demonstrated the students teamwork in conducting research, analyzing data, and making recommendations based on their findings.

Whats next? As newly minted alumni of SAO, the students will move on to the the Policy Research Internship Program, a five-week program taught by college professors over the next two months. Each of our Chesterfield County Public Schools students participating in the program will also receive a $1,000 stipend from the sponsors Signs & Wonders Ministries and MEGA Mentors.

Check out our Summer 2022 newsletter!

https://conta.cc/3ACwcm4

MEGA Mentors Newsletter – Summer 2022 The latest news for you. Donate Summer 2022 Newsletter Excellence Awards and Recognition Celebration MEGA Mentors held its annual end-of-school-year recognition event and dinner June 3 to celebrate th

Along with our award for Top of the year, please join us in congratulating our 2022 MEGA Mentors Liaisons of the year Dr. Bobbie Anderson and Dr. Laura Taylor.

Dr. Bobbie Anderson - Dr. Anderson is a retired counselor at Petersburg City Public Schools. She was instrumental in developing the Reading Program for MEGA’s Elementary Curriculum. She is dependable, thorough, a great listener, and brings a wealth of knowledge to the program. This year Dr. Bobbie was the liaison for J G Hening
Elementary and Ecoff Elementary schools.

Dr. Laura Taylor - Dr. Taylor wears many hats. She is a business owner, educator, author, and community volunteer and first lady at Signs & Wonders Ministries. She is passionate about teaching and learning and has a notable ability to build rapport with children. She serves on many leadership boards including MEGA Mentors. Dr. Laura equally contributed to the development of MEGA’s Elementary Curriculum and was the liaison for the After School Elementary Program this year.

Thank you to each of these outstanding servant leaders!

Drum roll please!

Announcing our 2021-2022 of the Year

Each year we honor the mentors who go above and beyond in supporting positive student outcomes and commitment of time and effort. Our two top Mentors for this year truly care about their students, they give time to study and plan before sessions, and they love what they do!

This year's Mentor of the Year awards go to ...

Rosemary Morton - Rosemary is a retired Reading Specialist and Art Teacher. She brings a passion and has been a MEGA Mentor for seven years. This year Rosemary took on the role as liaison and mentor at Providence Middle School and the After School Middle School Program. We admire her qualities of reliability, commitment, and selflessness. Congratulations Rosemary!

Craig Schwartz - Craig is one of the most passionate people we know. This was his first year as a MEGA Mentor at J G Hening
Elementary and serving with the after school elementary program. He encourages and supports youth, builds up their self-esteem, and is absolutely fun to be around. Just ask any fifth grader at Hening. Thank you for all of your hard work Craig!

Thank you to each of these outstanding servant leaders and to all of our incredible mentors!

Happy to our family!

Thank you for all of your support and dedication to and building up the next generations of leaders of our great Nation!