Please visit Volvo for Life Awards, click on "Environment" and cast a vote for Charles "Jeff" Turner, aka, "The Riverkeeper" today. It's quick and simple--plus will make a difference in his quality of life (he is paraplegic) if he wins. "It is possible that if I win I would receive $25,000 for Blackwater Nottoway Riverkeeper Program (BNRP) and also if I'm the Grand Winner, a Volvo automobile for life", writes Jeff. "If you ever wished you could do something for the BNRP, well this is the time and you do not even have to get in a ditch. I hope you will take the time to help."
Here's Charles "Jeff" Turner's story...
Charles Turner became the first Riverkeeper in the commonwealth of Virginia and the forty-seventh in the country. He single-handedly began the Blackwater-Nottoway Riverkeeper Program (BNRP) in 2000 without any previous experience.As Riverkeeper, Charles patrols the Blackwater and Nottoway Rivers, looking for pollution - and the offending polluters. To help spread the word about the importance of clean, wild rivers and their crucial role in our environment, Charles regularly speaks at schools, clubs, retirement homes, and other civic institutions. He not only educates his audiences, but he also inspires them to help out in saving our rivers and waterways. Currently, there are 150 designated Riverkeepers serving worldwide. However, Charles is the only one who does so on a voluntary basis. Without salary, donation, or honorarium, Charles dedicates his days to keeping our rivers clean, stopping polluters, and educating the young and old about the beauty of nature in general - and clean, sustained rivers and waterways in particular.
Charles volunteers his time to a little column in the Tidewater News, writing about his river journeys and mixing a unique blend of educational facts about the environment with colorful tales of him and his sidekick Moonpie, his stalwart dog. These stories have earned him a loyal and growing readership. The grassroots organization that he started now has 121 members, no mean feat considering the small communities from which BNRP draws.
Charles Turner is paraplegic, partially paralyzed on his left side. He suffers acute and chronic pain due to his condition. Yet, neither his affliction nor his enduring pain has kept Charles from his appointed rounds as Riverkeeper. People seem amazed that he can do this by himself, and in his condition. But neither others' praise nor their wonderment seems to phase Charles, who says of his calling to protect the rivers: "If you live out there on the river, you will become part of the river, and you will know and love her intimately."
To learn more about Charles Turner and his cause, and how you can make a difference, please visit: www.blackwaternottoway.com.
Then vote for Charles ("Jeff") Turner today. The deadline for voting is Jan. 7. He has been referred by a community advocate and long-time member of Sierra Club, Ellis James, of Norfolk/Chesapeake Bay group. Among the 10 finalists, Jeff is the only nominee from Virginia. Let's show them how proud we are of this particular Virginian! Vote today!
Cross-posted at VB Dems.