| Blacksburg, Virginia; Monday, June 8, 2026: First Steps, the New River Valley’s (NRV) early childhood education and development network, is seeking nominations for early childhood champions. The awards recognize those working in the NRV as early education and childcare providers, preschool and early elementary school teachers, child development specialists, human service providers, healthcare professionals, librarians, policymakers, and advocates who have positively impacted the lives of the NRV’s youngest community members. Individuals, teams, or organizations may be nominated.
All are welcome to nominate a champion online by June 15th at www.cfnrv.org/firststeps. Only those who primarily serve the NRV (the counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Wythe, and the City of Radford) are eligible for these awards. This is the sixth year that First Steps has held the Early Childhood Champion awards. First Steps is an initiative supported by the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) that convenes NRV organizations and community members to work on projects related to early childhood education and care.
“It takes one person – one caregiver, supporter, advocate – to make a positive impact in the life of a young child or a family,” said Margaret Hurst, First Steps Program Coordinator for the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. “There are champions among us who spend their days, careers, and sometimes lifetimes showing up to do the little things, go above and beyond selflessly to provide consistent care, support, resources, and encouragement. Nominating a champion is a unique opportunity to honor, celebrate, and thank those who have made lasting contributions.”
All nominees will be recognized at an awards luncheon held September 25th at the Inn at Virginia Tech as a part of the Annual Igniting Connections Symposium hosted by Virginia Tech’s Early Childhood Education Initiatives office, together with First Steps and other regional partners. Five standout nominees will be recognized and receive a cash award made possible by the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. View the list of past winners and nominees at www.cfnrv.org/firststeps.
To support or get involved with First Steps, please reach out to Margaret Hurst at margarethurst@cfnrv.org or 540-381-8999. |
