Hanover County honored with VACO awards for naloxone program and 9/11 Day of Service

Jeremy Bennett, director of intergovernmental affairs for the Virginia Association of Counties, presented two VACO Achievement Awards to Hanover County for its Naloxone by VACO program and for the county's 9/11 Day of Service.

"Hanover County has won 2 achievement awards, 1 for the Naloxone by Veil program and the other for the previously mentioned nineeleven day of service," Bennett said during the presentation. County staff and volunteers accepted the honors and highlighted contributions from multiple departments and nonprofit partners. A county representative thanked the board and the community for creating and sustaining the programs.

The county described the Naloxone effort as intended to eliminate cost and travel barriers to life-saving opioid reversal medication; staff said the program has reached about 1,200 residents since it started. Community Services staff emphasized the volunteer coordination behind the 9/11 Day of Service and said the initiative has become a recurring county tradition. The awards program is competitive: Bennett said VACO received 103 entries and selected 40 winners from 26 counties this year.

The presentation concluded with staff inviting participating employees and partners to receive photos and public recognition. The board expressed thanks and directed staff to take group photos and share program details publicly.