For the fourth consecutive year, a team of more than 20 volunteers from Dominion Energy joined us at Camp Baker to work on outdoor tasks after a busy Summer Camp season.

The Dominion team worked on mulching; painting the Retreat residence hall; clearing out small trees, branches and shrubbery; and creating more space in the trail system to improve access to the fishing hole in the woods.

Fishing activities were made more accessible this year after funds to purchase a utility task vehicle (UTV) were generously donated by the Chester Civitan Club. Now, campers who use wheelchairs or mobility aids can ride in style to the fishing hole and try their luck!

Richard “Rick” Belflower, who organized this event for Dominion, recalled the experience he shared with fellow team members:

“It was a truly amazing day,” he said. “All our employees served with passion. Many were repeat volunteers who understand the mission of SOAR365 and want to help provide a safe environment where individuals of all ages find support for the daily, real-world challenges of living with a disability. This volunteer day at Camp Baker has become an annual event and is now a tradition for our Dominion team.”

Rick is inspired by a phrase from an African proverb that says, “it takes a village.” The phrase highlights that great accomplishments are not achieved by a single individual but are the result of shared collective wisdom and support from the entire community – including family, neighbors, teachers, and other community members.  “I love that analogy, and this is a theme that we like to live by,” he said. 

Within a day after Rick announced the Camp Baker activity on behalf of Dominion’s System Operations Center, nearly the entire office of Distribution Design signed up to volunteer. “There is always much work to be done for a complex the size of Camp Baker,” he observed. “We might not be able to change the world, but we CAN certainly make a difference! I would challenge other organizations to volunteer to help at Camp Baker. It’s an activity you will LOVE!”

Rick appreciated the support that SOAR365 provided for his colleagues. “A great big thank-you to the staff of Camp Baker who made this possible for our Dominion Team!” he said.

And an EVEN BIGGER thank-you to Rick and his wonderful group of Dominion volunteers!