Hampton Roads Community Foundation Blog

Hampton Roads has been good to Dr. Robert and Carolyn Waddell. The Waddells take joy in giving back to the community that has given so much to them.

Thanks to Virginia Wesleyan University freshman Sarah Stermer, there are 1,225 new native trees growing at Virginia Beach schools this year and 1,850 saplings taking root in Haiti where deforestation is rampant. And, she is just beginning her work to improve the environment by planting trees. Sarah is among 413 students attending college this year with help from Hampton University Community Foundation scholarships. Like Sarah, all of the scholarship recipients are finding their ways to make our world better.

Robert Abbott, M.D., vividly recalls “burning out mentally” after his first semester in medical school. To heal himself, the Yorktown resident hit the pause button for a year. During his year’s absence from school, he found his life’s calling – treating patients with the help of nutrition, fitness and mindfulness.