To the residents of Martinsville and Henry County:

I am proud and honored to serve The Harvest Foundation as Chairman of the Board for 2012. As a resident and employee of Hooker Furniture Corporation for the past thirty-four years I have seen and experienced some of the highest highs as well as some of the heart-wrenching lows of this community. I’ve been here when furniture and textiles were flying high and unemployment was something other communities worried about. I’ve also been with you as we’ve experienced the sadness of job losses and hard times. But through it all, one thing stands clear: the people of our community are a resilient bunch. People that can take a punch and bounce right back. We may be down, but we’re never out.

The Harvest Foundation shares that attitude. We are committed to doing our part to revitalize our community, whether it is in the area of education, health & wellness, or community vitality. Helping to create jobs is a primary concern for us, and helping to provide a well-educated, healthy citizenry is necessary for the workforces of the future and our growth as a community.

The board, officers and staff of The Harvest Foundation share Mr. Marine’s thinking. Together with all of you, we can re-invent our community and ultimately make it better than ever before. It will take a lot of effort, time and money, but I commit to you that The Harvest Foundation will strive to do its part.

Sincerely, 

E. Larry Ryder

Chairman of the Board of Directors

The Harvest Foundation