Russell County Health Coalition Awards Key Partners, Sponsors, Volunteers for 2025

The Russell County Health Coalition celebrated the successes in 2025 and recognized the partners, volunteers, and sponsors who helped make it possible at a Holiday Awards Dinner on Monday, December 8, 2025 at the Get Fancy Gathering Spot and catered by good friend of the Coalition, Chef Clint Neel of Your Grate Escape.
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President Dustin Keith presented a report of the Health Coalition’s 2025 programs, including Kids Healthy Bucks and Active Adults Health Day with the Lebanon Farmers Market, the Tenth Annual Russell County Family Health Expo, and wellness activities integrated throughout other programs, before presenting the third-annual awards. The awards are named in memory and honor of the founders of the Russell County Health Coalition: the late Anna Harris, Donna Meade Sproles, and Frazier & Helen Snead.

Frazier and Helen Snead attended the Dinner and made a special presentation on behalf of the Russell County Diabetes Support Groups that they facilitated with Chuck Price and several current and former members of the Coalition for many years. The presentation included a very generous contribution to the Coalition to continue its important work of diabetes awareness and prevention and nutrition education. 

​The award recipients were selected by the Coalition officers, including President Dustin Keith, Vice President Pat McGlothlin, Secretary Amelia Bandy, and Treasurer Amy Compton. Special guests at the Dinner included VDH Cumberland Plateau Health Department Director Reisa Sloce and staff, farmers from the Lebanon Farmers Market & Market Manager Tammy Lasley, Health Coalition Board members, key partners, donors, and volunteers. Many organizations and individuals who were not selected for an award this year still greatly contributed to the Coalition’s success in 2025, and the Coalition deeply appreciates all those who donated their time, talents, or resources towards the Coalition’s Mission of “improving access and opportunities for better overall health of all generations of Southwest Virginians.” We look forward to both continued and new partnerships in 2026. 

2025 Russell County Health Coalition Award Recipients
Anna Harris Memorial Partnership Awards
  • Donna Couch & Lebanon Farmers Market Vendors
  • Jill Edmonds & RCCTC Culinary Arts Program
  • Kevin Ferguson & Russell County Conference Center
Frazier & Helen Snead Honorary Sponsor Awards
  • Jeff & Sharon Rice, Tri City Tent & Event
Donna Meade Sproles Volunteer Service Award
  • Jennifer Jolliffe
  • Amy Compton

Thank YOU for a successful 10th Annual Russell County Health Coalition Family Health Expo, a Hometown Hoedown!

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Thanks to everyone who helped make the Russell County Health Coalition's 10th Annual Family Health Expo & Hometown Hoedown on November 5 a huge success! Over 300 folks, more than half of which were students and staff from the Russell County Public Schools after-school program, attended the Expo and received information and resources from 28 community health providers, agencies, and organizations. Participants were also able to receive free health screenings and Narcan training from the VDH mobile health unit, flu & COVID vaccinations from VDH nurses, vision & hearing tests from Lions Club International, and a healthy barbeque chicken sandwich meal, prepared by the Russell County Vocational School Culinary Arts program. Outside in the event tent, folks of all ages enjoyed Appalachian banjo-picking by Tyler Hughes, Director of The Crooked Road, and competed in a "fruit basket walk." Inside, students joined in exercise demonstrations with Kassidy Warren of Next Level Fitness Club.
 
This event was the special ten-year anniversary of the Coalition's Expo, aimed at engaging whole families in Russell County, especially seniors and youth, in improving access to healthcare and increasing awareness of local opportunities while having fun and connecting with friends and neighbors in our community. The Coalition is very excited to start planning for the eleventh anniversary of the Expo for November 2026!
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Big thanks to Expo Chair Amy Compton, the planning committee & volunteers, all the vendors and community partners, and event sponsors, including Tri-Cities Tent & Event, Ballad Health, Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, and Sentara Health. Special thanks also to the Cumberland Plateau Health District, VCOM medical students in residence with Ballad Health, and Jennifer Jolliffe with Lions Club International for helping provide the array of health screenings available at the Expo. Thanks also to the Russell County Schools After-School program for bringing their students, Mr. Kevin Ferguson & the Russell County Conference Center for providing space, and Ms. Jill Edmonds & the Russell County Career & Technology Center Culinary Arts students for serving a delicious meal.

​Russell County Health Coalition’s Healthy Bucks program breaks records in 2025!

With 47 youth receiving Bucks today on the last day of our 2025 Kids Healthy Bucks program at the Town of Lebanon Farmers Market, the Russell County Health Coalition is so excited and grateful to announce that this year's program (our tenth consecutive year, by the way) has broken records in number of children served (1,744 youth), dollars paid out to local farmers ($8,422), and volunteer hours donated (220+). Thanks to all the parents, grandparents, and guardians who brought youth out to the Market to receive Healthy Bucks and learn about healthy eating, nutrition, and the importance of shopping local!
Thanks immensely to Donna Couch, Tammy Lasley, all the Lebanon Farmers Market Vendors , the Russell County Public Schools summer school staff, our wellness educator Kandee Wallace, and all the Coalition volunteers for helping ensure the success of Healthy Bucks!
Special thanks to our lead volunteers Aaron Owens, Bee Stuart, & Kristen Gibson with Virginia Cooperative Extension - Russell County who also provided the printed educational materials for kids' shopping totes donated by Cumberland Mountain Community Services Board, and to Coalition President Dustin Keith who coordinated the program!
Also, a big THANK YOU to Sentara Health and their local representatives Laura Duffy & Sharon Rice, and Ballad Health Russell County Hospital and their local representatives Susan Hilton & Greta Morrison, for sponsoring this year's program and providing the necessary funds! We couldn't have done it without you!

Serving Russell County since 2014

The Russell County Health Coalition was formed in 2014 as an off-shoot of Diabetes Support Groups in Russell County. The Coalition was incorporated and granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 2017.

Our Mission

Health and wellness are critical for the success of our kids, senior citizens, and entire community. The Russell County Health Coalition is committed to a mission of “implementing sustainable programs that improve access and opportunities for better overall health of all generations of Southwest Virginians.” ​

Our Work

​The Russell County Health Coalition is proud to sponsor several ongoing health programs, including:

Healthy Kids Bucks

Children ages 0-17 receive nutrition education and $5 in Healthy Bucks to spend on fruits & vegetables at the Lebanon Farmers Market

Family Health Expo

Annual Exposition that includes health resources and screenings from over 20 vendors, a free meal, door prizes, and entertainment

Kids Wellness Camp

Annual Day Camp for kids with or at risk of diabetes, including physical activity, educational sessions, games & prizes, and healthy lunch

Farm to Table Dinner

Coalition fundraiser in Downtown Lebanon that includes a 5-course meal made with local ingredients grown & raised in Southwest Virginia

Outdoor Recreation

Promoting physical activity and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities, including the Cleveland Recreation Center Disc Golf Course

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We Need Your Help!

We cannot achieve our Mission alone! It takes all of us working together to make a positive difference in the health of our community! Be part of that change and get involved in our Coalition. Will you consider becoming a member of the Russell County Health Coalition?

Attend a Meeting

We'd love to have you join us at our monthly meetings! All perspectives are welcome and necessary to ensure our programs are meeting the real needs of our community.
Meetings are held on the second Friday of odd-numbered month in the boardroom of Russell County Hospital, 58 Carroll Street, Lebanon, VA.
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