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Making A Difference

   

Making a Difference A gift from Ron Willard and the Willard Construction Company made the construction of the Willard Amphitheatre at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Center a place for 4-H'ers to learn, grow, and express their talents.

The Willard Amphitheatre at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center at Smith Mountain Lake was made possible by a donation from Ron Willard and Willard Construction Company. The $175,000 gift provided funds to replace an outdated wooden stage with a modern, covered amphitheatre with dressing rooms, lighting, stage flooring and seating risers. This gift inspired an additional $50,000 grant from the Landmark Corporation to further enhance the stage lighting and sound systems, complete the dressing rooms, add portable seating and stage side curtains, and improve landscaping.

“The gifts allowed us to create a modern venue for 4-H performance classes, talent shows, and award ceremonies,” says Douglas McAlister, director of development at the center. “The facility is also used by outside arts and culture groups, and we produce a concert series in the amphitheatre that brings the community into the center and also generates revenue to help underwrite the cost of 4-H youth programs.”

If you would like to make a difference by contributing to any Virginia Cooperative Extension program, contact Vernon Meacham, interim director of development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 216D Hutcheson Hall (0402), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540/231-3071 or vmeacham@vt.edu.