Dear friends of Bennett’s Village,
We need your help! There are budget amendments in both the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate that would provide funding for Bennett’s Village. We need your help to make sure that the Bennett’s Village amendments are included in both the House and Senate budgets. In order to do that, members of the Health and Human Resources Committees in both the Senate and the House need to hear from us and know that you support this funding. (See below the sample script for contact information.) We need you to call, email, or visit in person between now and January 27th. If you don’t have time to contact all on this list, be sure to at least contact the chairs and your own legislators. If you are a constituent of the individual you are contacting, be sure to make that clear in your message.
You may email or call and cut and paste from the following script or personalize it to your situation–How will Bennett’s Village help you, your family and friends?
Dear [Delegate/Senator _____],
My name is [_______] and I am writing in support of the [House Budget Amendment 313 #4h /Senate Budget Amendment 311 #15s] to provide funding for Bennett’s Village. Inspired by a little boy who wanted to play independently with his friends, Bennett’s Village is building a multi-generational, all-abilities play space in Pen Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. This is a one-of-a-kind, innovative regional play space where people of all abilities and ages can play, explore, and learn together.
[Optional personal message here: Having a space for all to play will help me/my family/my friends/my community by ….]
Bennett’s Village has worked with community members and experts to design a space that will remove barriers that prevent Virginians from safely and completely accessing public spaces – including: safe, enclosed spaces; equipment and surfacing for those who use strollers, walkers, mobility aids, cochlear implants, or canes, seating opportunities for a variety of body types, shading for those who have trouble regulating temperature, and creating spaces that create different sensory opportunities to explore in outdoor spaces. Bennett’s Village is mindfully being designed for people of ALL ages and all abilities and is changing the way our community views inclusion.
Please support [House Amendment 313 #4h or Senate Amendment 311 #15s] because everyone deserves a place to play.
Contact info:
Who’s My Legislator – https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/
Virginia Senate Health and Human Resources subcommittee
Please refer to Senate Amendment 311 #15s when reaching out to these legislators
Janet D. Howell, Co-Chair
Represents: Fairfax County (Part), Arlington County (Part)
Email: district32@senate.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-7532
Emmett W. Hanger, Jr., Co-Chair
Represents: Rockingham County (Part), Augusta County (All), Greene County (All), Staunton City (All), Waynesboro City (All), Madison County (All), Culpeper County (Part)]
Email: district24@senate.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-7524
Jill H. Vogel
Represents: Clarke County (All), Frederick County (All), Winchester City (All), Fauquier County (All), Culpeper County (Part), Loudoun County (Part), Stafford County (Part)]
Email: district27@senate.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-7527
George L. Barker
Represents: Fairfax County (Part), Prince William County (Part), Alexandria City (Part)
Email: district39@senate.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-7539
R. Creigh Deeds
Represents: Albemarle County (Part), Alleghany County (All), Bath County (All), Buena Vista City (All), Charlottesville City (All), Covington City (All), Nelson County (All), Highland County (All), Rockbridge County (All), Lexington City (All)
Email: district25@senate.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-7525
Adam P. Ebbin
Represents: Alexandria City (Part), Arlington County (Part), Fairfax County (Part)
Email: district30@senate.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-7530
Jennifer L. McClellan
Represents: Charles City County (All), Henrico County (Part), Richmond City (Part), Hanover County (Part)
Email: district09@senate.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-7509
Virginia House of Delegates Health and Human Resources Subcommittee:
Please refer to House Budget Amendment 313 #4h when contacting these legislators
Matthew Fariss, Chair
Represents: Counties of Albemarle (part), Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell (part), and Nelson (part)
Email: DelMFariss@house.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-1059
Emily Brewer
Represents: Counties of Isle of Wight, Prince George (part), and Surry; City of Suffolk (part) Email: DelEBrewer@house.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-1064
Keith Hodges
Represents: Counties of Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William (part), Mathews, and Middlesex
Email: DelKHodges@house.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-1098
Carrie Coyner
Represents: Counties of Chesterfield (part) and Prince George (part); City of Hopewell Email: DelCCoyner@house.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-1062
William Wampler III
Represents: Counties of Dickenson, Russell (part), Washington (part), and Wise (part) Email: DelWWampler@house.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-1004
Mark Sickles
Represents: County of Fairfax (part)
Email: DelMSickles@house.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-1043
Betsy Carr
Represents: City of Richmond (part)
Email: DelBCarr@house.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-1069
Sam Rasoul
Represents: City of Roanoke (part)
Email: DelSRasoul@house.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-1011
Barry Knight
Represents: Chesapeake (part), Virginia Beach (part)
Email: DelBKnight@house.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-1081
