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Vigil allows grieving, raises money for victims

Chris Graham
we are all hokies waynesboro vigil
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A vigil held in Waynesboro last week in memory of those who lost their lives in the April 16 mass shooting at Virginia Tech did more than help Valley residents begin to heal.

Money raised in conjunction with the “We Are All Hokies” memorial service in the amount of $1,000 will go to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund – which was set up last week by the Virginia Tech Foundation to help cover expenses of family members who lost loved ones in the shootings and other expenses related to medical care and counseling for those injured and otherwise affected by the tragedies.

Those in attendance at the April 20 “We Are All Hokies” event contributed $934.84. Money was also contributed by attendees at the Third Fridays event in Downtown Waynesboro sponsored by the Waynesboro Cultural Commission, the Wayne Theatre Alliance and Waynesboro Downtown Development Inc.

A final donation from an anonymous giver Monday morning brought the total to an even $1,000.

“This outpouring of support from Waynesboro and the Valley should touch the heart of every Hokie,” said Crystal Graham, the organizer of the event and a 1999 alumna of Virginia Tech.

Graham is also the publisher of Augusta Free Press.

The money and a copy of the program from last week’s event will be sent today to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

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