On Saturday, April 16, 2011, beginning at 5 PM, a benefit will be held for former Assistant County Administrator and Tourism Director Jeannie Bowers Frisco. The program will be held at Rotary Field in Stuart, Virginia, in the J. D. Hooker Building.

Benefit Held for Cancer Patient Jeannie Bowers Frisco On Saturday, April 16, 2011, beginning at 5 PM, a benefit will be held for former Assistant County Administrator and Tourism Director Jeannie Bowers Frisco. The program will be held at Rotary Field in Stuart, Virginia, in the J. D. Hooker Building. Planned activities include entertainment by local and area musicians, food sales and raffles. Proceeds will go to help in paying for Frisco's medical expenses in her treatment for cancer. Jeannie B. Frisco, a native of Patrick County from the Woolwine area, has spent most of her professional life in Patrick County government. She began her career as a secretary at the Patrick County Schoolboard and then served as Administrative Secretary to the Economic Development Department. She also held a position as the county bookkeeper. She took the position as Tourism Director for Patrick County and eventually was promoted to Assistant County Administrator while also serving as Tourism Director. Frisco is currently employed as Program Director for Activate Martinsville-Henry County. During her term as Tourism Director, Frisco was involved in promoting Patrick County for inclusion in several economic development initiatives developed by the State of Virginia during her tenure, including The Crooked Road and 'Round the Mountain. Due to her hard work, Patrick County was represented at the National Folk Festival for three years and received statewide and nationwide attention and publicity. Frisco served on numerous boards during her tourism career, networking with state representatives and officials to benefit Patrick County. Frisco also founded the Patrick County Tourism Advisory Council and worked tirelessly to develop a marketing plan with the council, headed by then Chairman Charlotte Gardner. Her drive and ambition to improve tourism revenues for the citizens of Patrick County were limitless. Frisco's outgoing personality and determination served her well as a representative for Patrick County. She met many goals for Patrick County and her accomplishments are too numerous to mention. "I brought my business back to Patrick County just because of Jeannie Frisco," commented Leslie Shelor, a business owner in Meadows of Dan. "We were considering several other locations at the time but meeting Jeannie made me realize that Patrick County could be on the forefront of tourism in Virginia, thanks to her savvy and hard work." In addition to her hard work for the people of Patrick County, Frisco has also long been devoted to the animals of her area, operating "Animals in Need" single-handedly and working to find forever homes for abandoned and stray animals. "Once she waded out neck deep to rescue a cat during a flood in Ararat," said Brenda Puckett, Frisco's sister. "Jeannie loves animals and when she can't find a home for one, it just stays with her. She's also devoted to her nieces and nephews and I know she has never met a stranger." Frisco was diagnosed with cancer last year and has been under treatment since. The planned benefit is being put together by volunteers, friends and family to aid in covering some of the ongoing medical expenses and to support Frisco in her fight against the cancer. The pubic is encouraged to attend; there is no admission charge.