MMHMF Honoree

 NANCY SPRAGGINS ROSS
2015 Community Service Award

Nancy is a true advocate of community outreach services and passionate about making a difference in the communities of Chesterfield County and surrounding areas. Now retired from Central State Hospital after serving in various administrative positions, she devotes her time and energy to serving others.

Nancy Spraggins Ross was born and reared in Brunswick County Virginia. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Paul's College in Lawrence, Virginia. Nancy continued her education at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Social Work, where she received her Master of Social Work Degree specializing in Program Planning and Community Development.

Nancy can be described as a visionary, a people person and a woman of faith. She often states that there is no greater joy than giving of her time, knowledge and skills to bring hope, resources, comfort and joy to others. She says her passion for helping others originated from her parents as she watched them open their home and shared their resources with others less fortunate both children and adults.

One could go on and on about Nancy's passion about mankind. She has served as volunteer program Director for The Rudi Johnson Foundation, assisting families in crisis with resources and resolutions to critical family issues. Most recently through her affiliation with Ettrick Neighborhood and Business Association, she has been a primary and motivating force in bringing food distribution to residents of Southern Chesterfield County. Through her initiative with Gathering Grounds, over five hundred (500) families have received monthly allotments of much needed food. Ms. Ross led an effort to replace outdated playground equipment at Ettrick Elementary School in 2013, thereby providing a safe and pleasant playground experience for neighborhood children. Nancy's non-stop efforts for her community have also included a partnership with Rebuilding Together to provide critical repairs to the homes of four area families who could not afford the renovations, making their homes safer and more comfortable.

In the past and present, Nancy has impacted the community by her service in the following organizations and projects: Ettrick Neighborhood and Business Association; field trips for Ettrick Elementary School students; a food distribution program: a community pharmacy program; a Thanksgiving and Christmas food basket project; emergency shelter for misplaced elderly; and handicapped services (home ramps) and transportation (sometimes driving them herself) for the elderly to medical appointments. Many times, she uses her own resources to help others. Nancy certainly fits the profile of a true humanitarian.

Nancy is a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church where she is an active member as a Lay Reader, Treasurer for the Episcopal Church Women, and works with outreach programs and projects. She is the mother of a daughter, Carlynn Michelle Ross who resides in Washington D. C.