In The News
We work hard to get our efforts noticed by the media and are so proud when this goal comes to fruition. A well informed community is an empowered one as well, so take a look at some of the latest coverage we’ve received below and help spread the word about all the amazing developments at Kevin Riley Foundation of Hope.
2022 Community Day & Kickball Tournament (The Winchester Star)
Kevin Riley Foundation Community Day Community Day is a FREE day annual event for the community every July to come together and make memories, share laughs, enjoy many free activities while at the same time sharing a desire to see the end to violence in our community and across our country. This day promotes togetherness, healing, and a message that violence is never the answer. The day is full of activities and free carnival games for children, food trucks (with food for purchase), face painting, magic show for children, Henna tattoos as well as a large craft show with many different artisans. In addition we give our school supplies and summer flip flops for children and teens. In 2022 the Winchester Police Department also was present handing out free gun safety locks and gun safety literature. Coming together as a community, getting to know one another, and taking a stand against all forms of violence and making our streets a safer place is the goal of community day. Our Community Day won the Winchester Star’s Star Award as a Runner Up in 2022.
For more information, click the link below:
Community Day: A celebration of love, healing and kickball | Winchester Star | winchesterstar.com
2021 Memorial Kickball Tournament (The Winchester Star)
In July 2021 the first Annual Kevin Riley Memorial Kickball Tournament was held in Jim Barnett Park. 9 Teams competed in a double elimination tournament to raise money for the Winchester Parks and Rec Foundation in memory of Kevin Riley. Kevin had formed his own kickball team that was apart of the WPRD Spring and Winter League. This event was held to honor Kevin, enjoy the old school sport of kickball, and to give pack to the Winchester Parks. $4100 was raised during the event and donated to Winchester Parks Foundation.
For more information, click the links below:
A Vision of Hope: Serenity Garden (The Winchester Star)
On June 4, 2022 Kevin Riley Foundation of Hope built a 80'x30' Serenity Garden in local Weaver Park at 167 Bruce Drive. The garden features a walking path through it, a little library, and 2 memorial benches. Efforts are ongoing to add art or a sculpture into the garden. The work was completed by Volunteers on June 4 in recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Day as a Wear Orange Event.
For more information, click the link below:
2021 Survivors' Despair to Become a Holiday Beacon of Hope (The Winchester Star)
In December 2021 our first Tree of Remembrance Ceremony was held. A Christmas Tree lighting was held along with a candle light vigil and luminary display. Names of 32 loved ones were read aloud and honored and remembered during this ceremony whom lost their lives to violence.
For more information, click the link below:
2022 The Winchester Star "Star Awards"
"Around The Area". We were recognized as the Runner Up for "Annual Festival" for our Memorial Kickball Tournament & Community Day as well as our very own Crystal Pruitt was recognized as a Runner Up for "Community Volunteer" . We were nominated in 3 categories and very proud of our accomplishments in the last year.
For more information, click the link below:
Local Woman a finalist for D.C station's Remarkable Woman Contest
WINCHESTER — Anyone who knows Crystal Pruitt already realizes that the Winchester resident is pretty remarkable, balancing a full-time job with the full-time duties of running a nonprofit agency.
People outside of the Northern Shenandoah Valley are now realizing the same thing.
Pruitt, who founded the Winchester-based Kevin Riley Foundation of Hope three years ago following the murder of her brother, is one of four finalists for the 2024 Remarkable Woman of the Year Award presented annually by WDVM-TV, which moved in July 2022 from Hagerstown, Maryland, to Washington, D.C.
March 2024
DC News Now: The foundation provides various services in the community year-round, from advocating for peace to providing support for homicide victims’ families, school supplies for kids in need, and various community events to bring people together.