Charity Home Tour announces Pacesetting Sponsors

Several businesses that serve the Smith Mountain Lake area have already made commitments to support the 2011 Charity Home Tour, to be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 7-9, Home Tour officials have announced.

“At this early stage—only a few weeks into the effort to contact potential sponsors–we are delighted by the enthusiasm we’re seeing from businesses that want to be part of this year’s Charity Home Tour and make it a huge success for the participating charities,” said Phil Servidea, who is leading the sponsor recruiting effort for the Tour’s Executive Operating Committee.

Centra Medical Group, providers of cardiovascular, urology and primary care services to patients at SML as well as in Lynchburg, Gretna, Altavista, Big Island, Brockneal, Danville and Farmville, is the first to sign on as Royal Sponsor.

“Their generous support as a leading sponsor again this year provides an all-important cornerstone to the 2011 sponsorship effort,” Servidea said.

“Centra Medical Group is excited to be the Royal sponsor for the third year running,” said Centra Vice President Skip Leavitt. “We understand the importance of investing in local charity organizations, which in turn support the residents of Smith Mountain Lake area and surrounding communities. In our effort to support the lake region, Centra serves residents through the Village Family Physicians and our Specialty Clinic, both of which are located in Moneta. We are continuing to work on our plans to expand our services in the lake area.”

Centra has also agreed to supply the hospital “booties” Tour-goers wear to protect floors and carpets, saving the Tour from purchasing them and thus increasing the funding that will be given to each participating charity in November.

Pacesetting Diamond Sponsor is The Willard Companies, developers of Westlake Towne Center and several residential & country club/golf-course communities on the shores of SML.

“The Willard Companies is proud to sponsor the Charity Home Tour because the event benefits a variety of local charities while attracting a large number of visitors to Smith Mountain Lake. While we certainly realize the current economic challenges, we hope other area businesses are able to find a way to support this wonderful cause,” said Christopher Finley, Director of Marketing and PR for The Willard Companies.

Capps Building Supply Center was the first Gold Sponsor on board for 2011, signaling a return in a big way of one of the founding and traditional sponsors of the Tour, going back 20 years.

Pacesetting Silver Sponsor is Dale E Angle, Custom Builder.

Westlake office supply and quick-print supplier Print-n-Paper led the way as the first of what is hoped will be many Bronze sponsors, and “Friends of Marty Bowers” became the first Patron with a donation in honor of Marty’s many years of service as Home Tour Chairperson.

Participating 2011 charities, chosen by lottery drawing from among the qualifying 501C-3 organizations serving the SML area that applied, will each receive an equal share of this year’s Home Tour proceeds. They are: Bedford Christian Free Clinic; Bedford Pregnancy Center; Crisis Line of Central Virginia; Franklin County Humane Society; Free Clinic of Central Virginia; Helping Hands of Franklin County; Lake Christian Ministries; and SML Good Neighbors.

This year’s 21st annual Charity Home Tour will be held on Columbus Day weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 7, 8 & 9. Now in its 21st year, the Charity Home Tour has donated over $2.5 million to help those in need. More information can be found on the Tour website, www.smlcharityhometour.com.