Dave and Virga Smith named Citizens of the Year

Rochester Mayor Trent Odell recognized Dave and Virga Smith as Citizens of the Year for dedicating their lives to serving those in need.

Rochester Mayor Trent Odell on Friday awarded both Dave and Virga Smith the Citizen of the Year award, recognizing the positive impact they've made through true altruism. 

"This couple had every right to enjoy their retirement traveling, or doing whatever they chose to do after years of hard work, but instead they dedicated their lives to serving anyone and everyone who needs help, 24/7," Odell said. "They know the reward's in Heaven. They don't care about rewards here on Earth. That's why they've dedicated their lives to service."

Virga, with unwavering support from her husband, is no stranger to charitable organizations. She helped start Fulton County HOPE, which strives to be the driving force in providing awareness and education to residents on resources available and how to access them. The organization, serving as a think tank for local needs, was granted nonprofit status in April 2018. 

From that, Celebrate Recovery was started at their church, St. John Lutheran Church in Rochester. The program aims to help people overcome a variety of hurts, habits and hang-ups. One big task is watching over participants' children, one that Dave has taken on in support of the program. 

Fulton County HOPE also was instrumental in getting The Outlet Youth Center started, and of course, HOPE for the Homeless. The latter could easily be considered Virga's greatest example of helping those in need, having placed nearly 400 people – adults and children – in housing. She continues to lead that program under the Fulton County Housing Authority, doing business as Lighted Pathways. 

"I realized that the people that I was moving in had nothing, so we helped start Helping Hands at our church," Virga noted. "It's still going, and we can provide everything they need in a house – furniture, dishes, pots and pans, clothing – all of that for free."

The Recovery Cafe in downtown Rochester also received startup funds from Fulton County HOPE. 

In addition to helping on Celebrate Recovery, Virga serves on the boards for Recovery Cafe, Fulton County Area Five and Transpo. She is also treasurer for both Fulton County HOPE and Lighted Pathways. 

Dave and Virga also have reached into their own pockets to help those in need. 

"We pay for people to be in a motel, so that they're not in the street, especially when it's really cold," Virga said. "Last year, when we were getting wind chills of 29 below, I was out picking up people and taking them to the motel."

They continue to work on trying to get more housing into Rochester. 

"I can honestly say that I don't think there's a week that goes by that I don't spend at least 40 hours," Virga said about giving back to her community.

That drive, she added, came from a health scare years back. 

"Right before I sold my practice, I ended up in the hospital for 52 days. No one thought that I would live, except for my husband and I," she explained, having undergone three major surgeries and additional medical treatment to pull through. "I figured that God had kept me around for something, and I better get busy and do it."

The Smiths were surprised to receive the recognition, with Mayor Odell simply asking them to be present at Friday's Rochester Board of Public Works and Safety meeting. They recognized a lot of familiar faces in the room upon arriving, but assumed they were requested to discuss some ongoing project. 

"It was a big surprise. Nobody said a word," Virga said. "I didn't even question it."

Virga was happy that her husband received the recognition as well, after she alone was named the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce's Community Service Award winner in 2021. 

"I was really disappointed that he wasn't included in it because I can't do this stuff without his help," she said. With him also being named Citizen of the Year, she added, "I was thrilled for him, and I know he was thrilled, and really, really surprised."

Looking ahead, she prays that someday somebody else is going to take over and keep things going because there are so many more people still in need. She encourages anyone interested in helping to consider making a donation to Lighted Pathways, adding that no donation is too small and it all adds up. She noted checks can be made out to Lighted Pathways and dropped off at First Federal Saving Bank in Rochester. 

Dave and Virga Smith receive a standing ovation after being named Citizens of the Year by Rochester Mayor Trent Odell.