Rodney Gaines named as Green Giant Award winner

The Sierra Club Fall of the James Group named Rodney Gaines as the winner of their 2024 Green Giant Award:

Rodney Gaines is a native Richmonder and 40-year resident of the Davee Gardens neighborhood located in Southside Richmond. He is a small business owner and community advocate who volunteers in many roles across the city, including as a member of the Davee Gardens Civic Association, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and Richmond Tree Stewards. Additionally, Rodney is an advocate for Virginia Community Voice and the Collaboration Coordinator for RVA Thrives, where he hosts community cleanup events, coordinates greening projects and empowers residents to care for the environment.

Whenever there is a tree planting or community garden event in the Southside, Rodney is usually the first person there, ready to provide new gloves, water and snacks for all the volunteers. He also hosts cookouts, canvasses neighborhoods and leads presentations to connect with residents for greater community buy-in. Most recently, he led the creation of two new community gardens at Oak Grove Playground and Hickory Hill Community Center with raised garden beds, a watering system and picnic benches.

As a father, grandfather and devoted son, he is always of service to others and believes in being a role model not only for his family but the community as well.

Photo via Sierra Club Fall of the James Group by Sheri Shannon