Supporter Story: Ian Shaw

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Dedicated donor Ian Shaw shares what makes TAP special.

Ian Shaw believes in giving back to the community. For years, he’s been a consistent and charitable donor to TAP. When asked what influences his recurring donations, Ian shares that he likes TAP’s variety of programs.

“There is a range of things that [TAP] does that can help a person be successful in life,” Ian says. “Because of the spectrum of work [TAP] does, it has a greater impact on people. I know that whatever I give to TAP will be used well.”

A Commitment to the Community

Ian invests in TAP because he sees the value of his community. While working for the City of Roanoke, he interacts with other locals on a daily basis. Moreover, having lived in Roanoke for more than 20 years, he knows what makes the city special as well as the areas in which it needs help.

 “My wife is from Roanoke originally and we’ve both lived here since ’96. We’ve been here for a while. It’s home for both of us,” Ian shares. He enjoys the walkability of the city as well as the proximity to outdoor activities. On the weekends, he and his family enjoy hiking Tinker Cliffs or paddling on the Roanoke River.

“But Roanoke does have the problems of a city as far as the income disparities and equity issues,” Ian continues. “Being here for a long time, it is important for me to address these things and make sure everyone has the same opportunities.”

Ian encourages others to invest in the Roanoke community as well. “If everyone was a little bit generous,” he shares, “that would go a long way to solve a lot of our problems in the world.”

One time or recurring donations to TAP can be made by visiting: https://tapintohope.org/support-us/donate/

Woman in blue suit receives award from woman in red suit

2021 Cabell Brand Hope Award Recipient: Nancy Agee

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We are happy to announce the winner of the 2021 Cabell Brand Hope Award! This year the award was presented to Nancy Howell Agee, President & CEO of Carilion Clinic. We congratulate her and thank her for her dedication to the communities in southwest Virginia.

Nancy is President and Chief Executive Officer of Carilion Clinic. Before becoming CEO in 2011, Ms. Agee served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. During her tenure as COO, she co-led Carilion’s reorganization from a collection of hospitals to a fully-integrated, physician-led clinic. The reorganization resulted in a partnership with Virginia Tech to create an allopathic medical school and research institute.

Woman in blue suit receives award from woman in red suit
Agee accepts award from Dr. Brenda Hale

Ms. Agee is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare and immediate past chair of the American Hospital Association (a membership organization representing the nation’s 5,000 hospitals). She has been perennially named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare as well as the Top 25 Women in Healthcare. Ms. Agee is a former member of the Board of Commissioners for the Joint Commission (international hospital accreditation organization) and past chair of the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association and the Virginia Center for Health Innovation.

Past Cabell Brand Hope Award recipients

Supporter Story: Mary Ann McAden & Beth Macher

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Dynamic duo Mary Ann and Beth provide essential donations to our Domestic Violence Services.

It all began when Mary Ann donated all the furniture from a condo she was selling. She’d reached out to TAP after hearing about our Domestic Violence Services from a family member. Though she knew how useful DVS’ services were, she had no idea just how big the need was.

Domestic Violence and the Pandemic

The pandemic led to a rise in domestic violence rates as victims were often stuck at home with their abusers. High rates of unemployment and the resulting stress took the situation from bad to worse. DVS was getting more calls than ever.

DVS works to rehouse individuals and families affected by domestic violence. Victims often can’t bring many belongings when they leave their abusive situation, so DVS also helps to provide them with furniture and other household necessities.

Rallying the Community

Once Mary Ann was aware of the need, she called her friend Beth and they hit the ground running. “Because of the pandemic, everyone was stuck at home,” Mary Ann recalls. With their free time, they began decluttering. “We told everyone we knew that we were taking donations for domestic violence survivors,” she says. “It first began with our donations, but now several different people will drop off items at our front porch each week.”

People need more than just furniture. “I ask people to bring old toys their kids have grown out of,” says Beth. Mary Ann asks people to donate picture frames. Goods like toys, craft supplies, and picture frames can be integral to making a family’s new house a home and keeping them from returning to an abuser.

“People can have a new beginning.”

Mary Ann and Beth’s efforts have truly changed lives. Between them, they have helped rehouse more than 30 families with the donations they have collected.

With a new home and furniture, domestic violence survivors can begin to heal from their abuse. “People can have a new beginning,” Beth says.