Nancy Chavez of Camp Hill has been named the 2012 Harrisburg Volunteer Citizen of the Year in the first year of a program sponsored by Direct Energy and The Patriot-News.









Chavez, a survivor of domestic violence herself, has since then devoted her life to raising money, creating awareness and speaking on behalf of victims of domestic violence.



Randi’s Race has raised over $245,000 for Domestic Violence Services in Cumberland and Perry Counties. All proceeds go to providing counseling, emergency shelters, legal advocacy and outreach programs for domestic violence victims



Most recently, some of those proceeds have helped raise money for Chavez’s newest endeavor, Randi’s House of Angels. Randi’s House of Angels offers support, therapy and counseling to victims. Chavez founded “Randi’s Race: A 5K Run and Walk for Courage” in honor of her daughter, Randi, who was murdered in 2005 as a result of domestic violence. Chavez, a survivor of domestic violence herself, has since then devoted her life to raising money, creating awareness and speaking on behalf of victims of domestic violence.Randi’s Race has raised over $245,000 for Domestic Violence Services in Cumberland and Perry Counties. All proceeds go to providing counseling, emergency shelters, legal advocacy and outreach programs for domestic violence victimsMost recently, some of those proceeds have helped raise money for Chavez’s newest endeavor, Randi’s House of Angels. Randi’s House of Angels offers support, therapy and counseling to victims.

In February of 2007, Chavez formed a group called “Restoring Our Souls” (ROS), a support group for mothers and other family members that have lost a loved one to domestic violence.



She also established Randi’s Camp for Hope, an organization specifically for children that are affected by domestic violence in their homes.



By winning the Harrisburg Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award, Nancy will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a $5,000 donation to Randi’s House of Angels. The donation will be used to hire licensed therapists that specialize in working with children who are victims of domestic violence or have had a family member murdered as a result of domestic violence. Additionally, for adult victims, attorneys will be hired to provide legal representation in custody and divorce hearings.

“Nancy has been through a horrific tragedy that no parent should ever have to face. Her perseverance to overcome and honor her daughter’s memory and help her community is truly remarkable,” said Cory Byzewski, Vice President and General Manager for Direct Energy US North Residential.

Lee Carlson, General Manager for the Patriot-News said, “We received a lot of outstanding nominations and they were all very admirable but Nancy’s story about how she is using her heartbreak to help others is nothing short of amazing. We are honored to be able to help her in her campaign to end domestic violence.”