Month: June 2025

Loggers Helping Children

by Andrew Nash

Loggers frequently give back, especially to the Log – a – Load for Kids Foundation, designed around a challenge for loggers to donate the value of one load of logs to the Children’s Miracle Hospitals Network, and have raised millions of dollars to help youth with medical needs which families cannot afford. Six local loggers that are now the “magnificent six” include Joshua Amos, Scotty Bottoms, Hunter Clary, Palmer Dugger, Paul Scott, and Adam Wilbourne because they planned and executed a Sporting Clay Tournament and Banquet at Arrowhead Gun Club in Lunenburg County to raise money for the King’s Daughters, UVA, & VCU Children’s Miracle Hospitals.

Fifty-two teams registered for the fun shooting event and over 250 people, along with over 75 sponsors attended/supported the shooting events, the banquet, and the auction to raise money for children. The LAL State Coordinator Nikki Robertson, Virginia Loggers Association members, and many volunteers helped too. The event was the most successful in Virginia history with the loggers raising a gross of $130,000 with about $110,000 going to the hospitals. Palmer Dugger, speaking on behalf of the “magnificent six” said, “we just wanted to have an event in Southern Virginia that we would be able to attend and to try to do more for Log-a-Load for Kids! We never dreamed we would make more than $100,000 to be donated to Children’s Miracle Hospitals! Working with this group of loggers was a real honor! Watching all the people coming together and supporting this was an amazing thing! Hopefully people will start to realize that loggers are good people and care about more than just making a dollar.”

Kate Ryan joined the great event as the official Philanthropy Officer of the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia, one of two recipients for the proceeds. Kate was very impressed with the success of the event and said, “Thank you to the Virginia Loggers Association for their generous support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through the first annual Sporting Clay Tournament at Arrowhead Gun Club! Funds raised will help Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia, purchase a Butterfly iQ3 for our transport – a handheld ultrasound probe that connects to any iPhone or iPad, allowing practitioners to perform real-time imaging in the field. We are so grateful to all the volunteers, sponsors and attendees that helped to make this event such a success.”

During the dinner, Delegate Tommy Wright (R-Victoria) who represents House District 50 presented commendations from the Virginia House of Delegates to the six sponsors of the Sporting Clay Tournament and Banquet at Arrowhead Gun Club in Lunenburg County. Delegate Wright thanked everyone associated with the fundraising event for their hard work and was pleased with the success of the fundraiser.

Delegate Wright said “I’m proud to commend these six dedicated loggers for their incredible work in hosting the Log a Load for Kids event in Lunenburg County. Their generosity and commitment to helping children battling illnesses is truly inspiring. It’s a great honor to have such a meaningful and compassionate event take place right here in Southside Virginia and I thank them for making a real difference in the lives of families across our Commonwealth.”

We are so proud of the group and sponsors who gave back to make a difference for children!

Call for Nominees: 2025 Volunteer of the Year

by Andrew Nash

It’s that time of year again – nominations for the Log A Load For Kids Volunteer of the Year award are now open! Your nomination can make all the difference. Nominate today!

This is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who have shown exceptional leadership and dedication in supporting the Log A Load For Kids program. The winner will be recognized during the American Loggers Council annual meeting September 17-19th in Lafayette, LA.

Roy Holder of Richton, MS was recognized as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year. Roy works professionally in the timber industry but also volunteers his skills as an auctioneer to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Log A Load auctions across the country! We’re so thankful for Roy’s gifts of his time and talents, and we look forward to recognizing another outstanding volunteer in 2025.

Who Can Be Nominated? The ideal nominee is someone who has gone above and beyond in their efforts to raise funds and advance the mission of Log A Load For Kids. They are generous participants and/or leaders who have not only contributed their time and resources but have also inspired others to do the same.

How to Nominate? Nominations can be submitted by email to sherrihansen181@gmail.com and logaloadforkids@cmnhospitals.org. Please include a 2025 Volunteer Nomination Form  as well as a brief narrative that describes the efforts, projects, or activities undertaken by the nominee that have demonstrated exemplary leadership in raising funds and/or advancing the Log A Load For Kids program. You can choose to give examples of accomplishments or describe the impacts of the nominees work on the community, CMN hospitals, the forest products industry, and/or Log A Load For Kids.

Deadline for Nominations Please send in your nominations by August 15, 2025.

Let’s come together to celebrate the individuals who tirelessly work to ensure the success of Log A Load For Kids. Nominate your Volunteer of the Year today and let’s give them the recognition they deserve!