Guardians of Our Community

A 10-year-old who pulled a drowning child from a lake. An off-duty officer who saved his own wife with CPR. These are the kinds of stories that fill the room at the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber's Valor Awards, and Janet Michael gets a preview with Taylor Coumes, Director of Event Management at the Chamber, and Brandon Lorey, President & CEO of Bank of Clarke, the event's presenting sponsor.

Now in its 14th year, the Valor Awards honor law enforcement, fire and EMS professionals, and everyday citizens who stepped up when it mattered most. This year there are more than 95 nominees, and the theme is "Guardians of Our Community." Taylor and Brandon talk about the award categories, how the nominations are reviewed, the stories that have stuck with them, and how anyone can take part, including by sponsoring an honoree's meal for $50. Keep a box of tissues handy for this one, and you'll come away feeling a whole lot better about the place we call home.

EVENT DETAILS

Event: 2026 Valor Awards, presented by Bank of Clarke Hosted by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Theme: Guardians of Our Community Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026 Time: 5:00–9:00 PM Location: Shenandoah Valley Golf Club Tickets: A limited number expected to remain at air time; the event is likely to sell out. Buy tickets at regionalchamber.biz/the-valor-awards (or go to regionalchamber.biz → Signature Events → Valor Awards). Ways to support: Sponsor an honoree's meal for $50, even if you can't attend (it can be done anonymously). Sponsorship packages start at $500. LINKS & RESOURCES

Valor Awards (tickets, honoree meals, sponsorships): regionalchamber.biz/the-valor-awards Top of Virginia Regional Chamber: regionalchamber.biz Bank of Clarke: bankofclarke.bank Also from the Chamber: Valley BusinessWomen Night Out: Wednesday, October 28, 5:30–8:30 PM, West Oaks Farm Market & Event Center. Dinner and dessert, guided canvas painting with Easely Created, DIY body scrubs and lip balm, fairy hair, vendors, and a cash bar. regionalchamber.biz/valley-businesswomen-night-out The Economic Summit, presented by First Bank, with the Shenandoah University School of Business: Thursday, November 19, 8:30 AM–noon. Speakers include Dr. Michael Hicks, Director of the School of Business and Eldon R. Lindsey Professor of Economics at Shenandoah University, and Curtis Dubay, Chief Economist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. regionalchamber.biz/the-economic-summit THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conv