The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Richmond Chapter announced the winners of the 76th Virginia Public Relations Awards at a banquet on Wednesday, June 7 at the Dominion Energy Center in Richmond.

Each year, the PRSA Richmond chapter recognizes outstanding public relations professionals and their work at the Virginia Public Relations Awards banquet. Entries are taken for local, statewide, national, and global campaigns, from government entities, non-profit organizations, corporations, and PR agencies and independent practitioners. The chapter recognizes the most creative and effective communications strategies and tactics happening across Virginia. Over 100 individuals and organizations were recognized for outstanding public relations campaigns and tactics in various categories.

Roanoke County Public Schools received the Best-in-Show for its 2022 Load the Bus campaign. The Best-in-Show Commonwealth Award category recognizes exceptional public relations campaigns. The 2022 Load the Bus campaign, in partnership with Roanoke City Public Schools, Salem City Public Schools and Craig County Public Schools, raised more than $31,000 worth of school supplies for children in Roanoke County alone with tens of thousands of dollars more collected for students in Roanoke City, Salem and Craig County.

Roanoke County Public Schools was honored with a Commonwealth Award of Excellence for the 2022 Load the Bus school supply campaign and Graduation Live 2022 received a Capital Award of Excellence.  The Capital Awards recognize excellence in individual public relations tactics that may or may not be part of a larger overall campaign.

The 2023 Load the Bus school supply drive will take place August 4-6.