The Northeast District's commitment to professional development and team collaboration is reaching new heights with the integration of principles from the book “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace” each unit was charged to implement these principles into their daily work. The principles reflect a shared vision of creating a workplace culture that prioritizes positivity and support. The district's proactive approach, marked by interactive sessions and thoughtful reflection, aims to not only enhance customer service and communication but also elevate morale and foster an environment where every team member feels authentically valued. 

 

One of the top items on most homeless shelters’ wish lists is socks.

 

That’s what Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent Ed Olsen was thinking about when he suggested organizing a sock drive to his unit coordinator in Henrico County, Kimberly Edmonds, right before the holiday season.

 

At the end of the month-long competition, 17 offices in the Northeast Extension District had amassed 4,700 socks for 19 service organizations. The recipients included homeless shelters, community health clinics, Boys & Girls Clubs, senior centers, family and community centers, and county social services departments.

 

Hanover County collected the most socks – 795 pairs – while Richmond County collected the most per resident at .025 pairs per person.

 

For Paige Thacker, Extension agent and unit coordinator for Virginia Cooperative Extension in Prince William County, one of the greatest outcomes of the sock drive was receiving a note of thanks from the director of a local homeless shelter.

 

“Thank you so much for collecting the socks and dropping them off yesterday,” the note read. “Who would think that socks are that important? For our homeless shelter guests, they surely are. People come in with socks that are wet, worn for several days, too thin – and they don't have an opportunity to wash them. You truly made a difference.”