30 Days of Hope 2022: Raising awareness for adoption, fostering in Virginia
In Virginia, kids are in crisis and put into foster care due to no fault of their own. But they have an advocate. 10 News Anchor Jenna Zibton works tirelessly all year long investigating the challenges the foster care system faces and revealing the solutions so all of us can help. Youโve seen the stories during the WSLS 10 Kids in Crisis series and 30 Days of Hope, where we profile one child who needs a home every day during the month of November.
![Coat drive for Roanoke students in need](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/2Jv6KcwVj7ymN7XiviJGuEskRKE=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/11-24-2020/t_5d621d3e465c4eb6949b514257e87440_name_image.jpg)
Coat drive for Roanoke students in need
ROANOKE, Va. โ Keeping kids warm this winter. Thatโs the goal of a local coat drive. For the fourth year, Humble Hustle is collecting new coats for Roanoke Valley schools. The organization got $670 dollars from the Junior League of Roanoke Valley to buy coats. Humble Hustle is collecting coats (new, with tags) until Friday, December 4.
![Vote for your favorite pumpkin from the Virginia Today team](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/xJte3IB-p9SgIMJjXNLQVPWuyc4=/1600x899/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6NHJFDHJG5HD3K3PKYPF33TUBA.jpg)
Vote for your favorite pumpkin from the Virginia Today team
All 5 members of Virginia Today carved a pumpkin. Now you get to vote on your favorite! Jenna Zibton, Chris Michaels, Rachel Lucas, Patrick McKee and Megan Woods all carved pumpkins and we need your help to decide which one is the best. From now until Wednesday at 11:59 p.m., you can vote once per hour for your favorite pumpkin. Weโll announce the results Thursday morning on Virginia Today!
![Leaders on schools: โWhat reopening looks like from one area to the state likely will be very differentโ](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/OypDMfd2ZvjZ3yuZ5pWWX9E4oh4=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/06-18-2020/t_a48115995ba641b0b30b27527036cd0f_name_image.jpg)
Leaders on schools: โWhat reopening looks like from one area to the state likely will be very differentโ
10 News talked to one of the people who helped shape the guidelines all schools will have to follow. Hatchett was on the committee that helped shape some of the 136-page document outlining how schools can open in the fall. โWhat reopening looks like from one area to the state likely will be very different. I think frankly thereโs no shame in my mind for people admitting the fact that we donโt know what we donโt know,โ said Livingston. This is part of an ongoing 10 News series looking into reopening schools in Virginia.
![Last day of school surprise for Roanoke County first graders](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/z1iYWoHWmnsgBzE2DxUjT2t9npw=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/05-22-2020/t_750281c4f0754dd792e8cd926b3543d6_name_image.jpg)
Last day of school surprise for Roanoke County first graders
Published: May 22, 2020, 4:00 am Updated: May 22, 2020, 10:24 amROANOKE, Va. Roanoke County Public Schools are officially on summer break. The last day of school was Thursday! Green Valley Elementary School first graders got a surprise. Green Valley Elementary students did a virtual visit to our studios! (Copyright 2020 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.)
![Meet Michael: He likes technology, exploring nature and hopes to be a veterinarian](https://media.wsls.com/photo/2019/11/04/30_Days_of_Hope_Michael_1572910084980_22440906_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Meet Michael: He likes technology, exploring nature and hopes to be a veterinarian
Michael Thomas, 16, wants to go to college and eventually become a veterinarian or do something with technology. "I like all the things that technology can do," said Michael, who is currently in foster care. For the next 30 days, you'll see the faces of children who can be adopted, just like Michael. 10 News is profiling one child who needs a home every day at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in 30 Days of Hope. The children are all ages and races and were put into foster care due to no fault of their own.
![Meet Michael: He likes technology, exploring nature and hopes to be a veterinarian](https://media.wsls.com/photo/2019/10/28/1.1Michael_1572271722821_22422805_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Meet Michael: He likes technology, exploring nature and hopes to be a veterinarian
For the third year, 10 News anchor Jenna Zibton is highlighting the need for foster and adoptive families in 30 Days of Hope. For the next 30 days, you'll see the faces of children from our area who can be adopted. Michael Thomas, 16, wants to go to college and eventually become a veterinarian or do something with technology. "I like all the things that technology can do," said Michael, who is currently in foster care. For the next 30 days, you'll see the faces of children who can be adopted, just like Michael.
![Annual Susan G. Komen Pink Promise luncheon helps survivors celebrate their stories](https://media.wsls.com/photo/2019/10/30/Annual_Susan_G_Komen_Pink_Promise_luncheon_helps_survivors_celebrate_their_stories_1572449620805_22428236_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Annual Susan G. Komen Pink Promise luncheon helps survivors celebrate their stories
ROANOKE, Va. - The annual Susan G. Komen Pink Promise luncheon was held at the Hotel Roanoke Tuesday. Breast cancer survivors are the largest group of cancer survivors in the U.S. at 3.8 million people, and this event helps celebrate their stories. The 43-year-old mother of five was diagnosed with stage 3 and then stage 4 breast cancer. "Speaking at this event is because of that promise, my promise was to do everything in power to make sure my children were never walk in my shoes to make sure my children don't face breast cancer," said Fink. By 2026, Komen's goal is to reduce breast cancer deaths by 50%.
![Big Latch On coming up, promotes breastfeeding](https://media.wsls.com/photo/2019/07/30/BLO%202017_3_1564484987224.jpg_22137542_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Big Latch On coming up, promotes breastfeeding
ROANOKE - There's an event for families coming up this weekend. The third annual Big Latch On promotes breastfeeding. There's an event in Salem, but It's also happening around the globe. "It exists everywhere but it looks different. it may look different from one family to another whether it's nursing directly or pumping milk and providing it via a bottle.
![Johnny Casa race receives record turnout](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/GwUCTgO2uZZMwrvAGmLzw7Kvp78=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/EYYAHXN4B5CG7O63NDECW35HMQ.jpg)
Johnny Casa race receives record turnout
ROCKY MOUNT, Va โ More than 250 people registered for the Johnny Casa 5K/5 miler held in Rocky Mount Saturday morning. The race had a record turnout of participants. The 5K benefits the Southern Virginia child advocacy center. More than 900 food items were donated at the race and will benefit local families in need that were identified by Rocky Mount police. 10 News anchor Jenna Zibton was the race emcee again this year.