My name is Patricia Smith and I want to tell you a little bit about why I am active with Virginia Organizing. About two years ago, I was in charge of the social justice committee at my church and we wanted to work on immigration reform. We approached our local Virginia Organizing organizer, Addie, and our immigration work took off! 

Since that time, I’ve been able to get more involved with the great work Virginia Organizing is doing. I am an artist and because of my commitment to social justice and change, I am donating all proceeds from sales of my artwork to Virginia Organizing.  You can purchase a painting by visiting my website athttp://patriciasmith.artspan.com. 

And while I know not everyone can buy a painting, I hope that we can all contribute in some way. By pledging to donate $50 during the Amazing Raise, you can help Virginia Organizing continue to organize around issues that are important to the local community. For my Chapter, these issues include immigration reform, Medicaid expansion, banning the criminal history box on city employment applications, fighting for environmental justice in our city, and more. 

I donate to Virginia Organizing because I believe in the work and I know that good organizing takes money. I believe we can affect change. I believe that having an organizer in my local community and in communities across the state is important. I know that my donations go to putting organizers to work in areas of Virginia that are not always considered the most important by other groups because they are too far away from Richmond.

I’m proud to donate to Virginia Organizing and I hope you will consider making a donation as well. Please click here to pledge your donation and help us win cash prizes that will give Virginia Organizing even more capacity to create change and make Virginia a more just place to live.

Thank you,  

Patricia Smith

Fredericksburg Chapter