Portsmouth’s First Citizen of 2018, Judy Boyce Perry, is elated to be able to give back $22,482 to her local community following the 80th annual Portsmouth First Citizen awards banquet. A Portsmouth native and tireless champion for the City of Portsmouth, Perry selected the Elizabeth River Project as one of the event beneficiaries. “I proudly call Portsmouth my hometown where my family’s tradition of community service inspires me today in the efforts to restore the health of the Elizabeth River,” said Perry. Hosted and organized by the Portsmouth Service League, the second beneficiary, this event continues to showcase the inspiring and hardworking individuals who exemplify the spirit of citizenship by willingly giving their time to make Portsmouth a better place to live, work and play.

The Elizabeth River Project works to restore the Elizabeth River to the highest level of environmental quality through business, government and citizen partnerships. Education projects include the Learning Barge, “America’s Greenest Vessel,” and Paradise Creek Nature Park, where restored wetlands and a new River Academy educate all ages on how to restore an urban river. Restoration efforts range from building oyster reefs to cleaning up severe contamination.

The Portsmouth Service League, founded in 1955, is a volunteer 501(c) 3 organization composed of young women dedicated to improving the welfare of the community. The League has been instrumental in the founding of several community institutions including the Children's Museum of Virginia, the Naval Shipyard Museum and Girls, Inc. Center for Youth. In 64 years of service, the League has raised and distributed over $1 million in the Portsmouth and Hampton Roads communities. The League’s scholarship fund helps to support higher education for women in Hampton Roads. #PortsmouthProud