GOVERNOR GLENN YOUNGKIN AND FIRST LADY SUZANNE S. YOUNGKIN PRESENT GOD’S PIT CREW WITH SPIRIT OF VIRGINIA AWARD
DANVILLE, VA. (November 17, 2023) – The final Spirit of Virginia Award of 2023 was bestowed to God’s Pit Crew on Friday, November 17. Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin visited God’s Pit Crew’s Danville-based headquarters to present the award to staff and volunteers. The Spirt of Virginia Award celebrates persons and organizations who are strengthening the spirit of Virginia and salutes Virginians for their uncommon contributions in private industries, education, culture and the arts, and philanthropy.
Since its first response in 1999, God’s Pit Crew has responded to 175 major disasters in 30 states and 15 countries, assisted over 1,200 families during those disaster scenarios, and completed 83 rebuild projects consisting of houses, churches, schools and more. Furthermore, the 1,200 volunteers who make up the ministry have logged a combined total of over one million hours in service with 200,000 of those hours being logged in just the last 12 months.
“You’ve continued to walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk – and bless countless persons, families, lives, children, individuals as you help them heal and gain hope for the future,” stated the First Lady of Virginia during Friday’s ceremony when referring to the actions made by the ministry since its inception 25 years ago.
After touring God’s Pit Crew’s headquarters and hearing testimonies from long-time volunteers, Governor Youngkin spoke of what the Spirit of Virginia means to him and how the disaster relief organization fit so well into that mold.
“When you have a chance to hear from extraordinary Virginians who dedicate time, who dedicate passion, and are willing to give it: that is the spirit of Virginia,” expressed Governor Youngkin. “One of the things I love about God’s Pit Crew is it takes that spirit of Virginia and projects it across the country. It projects it around the world.”
For over two decades, the non-profit disaster response team has relied on the generosity poured out by faithful donors who give life-changing gifts that help restore hope to the broken – and these donations are then put into acts of service by the many volunteers who are willing to serve and deliver healing to those who need it most.
“God’s Pit Crew is extremely grateful to receive the First Lady’s Spirit of Virginia Award. Our ministry is truly blessed to be able to provide hope, healing, and restoration to people in times of need all throughout the Commonwealth and around the world,” stated Randy Johnson, God’s Pit Crew President. “This award truly highlights the generosity and servitude of all the volunteers and donors that make our mission a possibility. We greatly appreciate Governor Youngkin and the First Lady for this honor.”
