WHEREAS, the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., an organization dedicated to providing meaningful social services to the community of Prince William County, celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2023; and

WHEREAS, the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., traces its origins to 1989, when organizers DyAnne Horner Little and the late Willa Rawls Dumas invited a group of diverse women to meet for the purpose of discussing their shared dream of organizing an interest group that would serve the community; and

WHEREAS, the interest group that preceded the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., established the Northern Virginia Metro Chapter of the National Organization of Role Models and Mentors (NORMM), a §501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the residents of Prince William County, including a significant population of people of color; and

WHEREAS, after four years of independent community service, the Northern Virginia Metro Chapter of NORMM was dissolved, and its members then chartered the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., on September 18, 1993, creating the 250th chapter of The Links, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., embodies the national organization's tenets of "Linked in Friendship, Connected in Service" in support of both its members and its community; and

WHEREAS, the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., is service oriented, with the ability and desire to anticipate, recognize, and meet others' needs throughout the Prince William County community; and

WHEREAS, the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., delivers critical programming through five facets of service, including services to youth, the arts, national trends and services, international trends and services, and health and human services; and

WHEREAS, before the Northern Virginia Metro Chapter of NORMM was dissolved, its members retained its §501(c)(3) status by rebranding the organization as the Old Dominion Foundation, Inc., which is committed to supporting, enhancing, and expanding programs and endeavors as set forth in its philanthropic mission; and

WHEREAS, the Old Dominion Foundation supports the community engagement and educational, charitable, and cultural activities of the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., benefiting underserved communities of Prince William County; and

WHEREAS, the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., and the Old Dominion Foundation's initiatives in the pursuit of the vision of its founders and in the spirit of dedication, hard work, and a quest for excellence include scholarships for high school graduates, annual golf tournaments, book signings, and charitable shopping day events; and

WHEREAS, the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., has been recognized with numerous awards over the years as a result of its consistent focus on its programming priorities and its successful health and educational program initiatives; and

WHEREAS, the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., was honored to work with a number of organizations, educational institutions, community partners, and local government agencies to accomplish its goals, including Africare, ACTS (Action in Community Through Service of Prince William County, Inc.), Prince William County Public Schools and the SPARK (Supporting Partnerships and Resources for Kids) Foundation, the Hylton Performing Arts Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, and George Mason University among others; and

WHEREAS, the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., is oriented towards the future, remaining vigilant and visionary while claiming victory in its effort to ensure that the promises of the future are realized; and

WHEREAS, the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., remains steadfast in its commitment to advocate for quality education, the provision of health and human services to underserved communities, and equal protection under the law, and its members will continue to exercise their right to vote, acknowledging that this is the most powerful tool to make their voices heard and to shape the future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., hereby be commended on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Inc., as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's history and its many contributions to the people of the Commonwealth.