Being jailed for Charity

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent

Monday, April 30, 2012

My position at the Chamber has finally become a problem. I will be locked up as a result of my Chamber activities. I confess that this is a bit embarrassing but I feel that it is time that the public know the truth. I have chosen to use this column to seek your support for my actions. One of our Chamber members has called me out and I could not run, hide, or avoid my civic responsibility. This Friday, May 4th I will be locked up.

Omega Partnership will convert their office at 133 West Davis Street in Culpeper to a jail. The office will be divided into four jail cells and host public officials,  religious leaders, business leaders, fitness leaders, and other assorted individuals for eight hours. When in jail the subject will have a choice, stay in jail or call friends and family for bail…. Bail is set when you arrive and it will be up to each leader’s network to pay their bail and get them out of jail. This could be interesting considering the list of characters that are volunteering.

If rumor is correct. WJMA will be broadcasting live from 133 West Davis Street to help one of their own get out of the pokey. I hear that her bail will be set especially high considering that her air time should draw many supporters.

Omega Partnership’s fund raiser is impressive. Jeanie Raven has pulled together a strong Board of Directors to help fill a need in the community. The 501c3 is a bridge between those who often have nowhere else to turn for food, shower, clothes, housing, and jobs. The organization is ready to assist when there are no other options for individuals or families in need. The Christian organization uses biblical principles to serve our community. In addition to local service, Omega Partnership serves global needs with service on mission trips around the world.

I need your help on Friday May 4th from 12-1 PM. I will be calling out, reaching out via Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In to ask for your support in setting me free. Pledge or donate during 12-1 PM and mention that you read this column and that you would like to bail me out. You can physically come to 133 West Davis Street or you can go to the website at OmegaPartnership.org and click on the donate button. I will be most grateful. More importantly, those that need your help will receive the help that they need from those committed to such needed service. It is difficult to say “that but for the grace of God there go I”, and yet it is a humbling truth.

Join me in support the mission of Omega Partnership on Friday May 4th. Call the Omega office at 540-317-5383 and say… Hello, I would like to bail Jim Charapich out this Friday… PS. Paying to keep me there is not an option… 

Jim Charapich CEO/President
Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Community Guide another milestone

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 

Monday, April 23, 2012

It seems that Culpeper is destined for awards and the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Community Guide is another milestone on our journey. Thanks to the Culpeper Star Exponent and their staff for entering our Community Guide in the Virginia Press Association competition. The Culpeper Star Exponent won 1st place in magazines/slick publications for the 2011 Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Community Guide.

The Chamber is especially proud of the publication since it is all about our local businesses, produced by the local team at the Culpeper Star Exponent. Who better to know and reflect local business, community attributes, and special character than journalists that live and work here?
The guide is a special publication developed as a benefit to the Chamber members in showcasing their business to the community. The Star Exponent went an extra step in making the publication especially valuable. They took over the distribution of the publication. This is very beneficial to advertisers for the publication since they are assured that the publication is replenished with the best visibility at key distribution points.

The guide is available at the Chamber office/ the Depot for those interested in knowing about local business. The business listing directory is one of the most popular information sources requested regarding Culpeper. The guide is also distributed to local hotels, retail locations, and realtor offices for those seeking to learn about Culpeper. It serves as a very important welcome to those interested in making Culpeper home.

The Culpeper Star Exponent has also made it easy to advertise in the publication. Their staff has made themselves available to work with the business community in finding the best place for their advertisement in the publication. The advertisement placements in the publication have been refined again this year for the 2012 issue to allow ad placements alongside of the subject matter that their business most effectively compliments. This space is of course limited.

The cover of the publication is always a spirited debate to reflect a unique time in our community. With the sesquicentennial commemoration of Civil War Battles in Virginia including many in Culpeper County, we chose to reflect this in our cover. Linda Hall, In the Light Imaging Photography won the favor of the committee developing the publication. A special thanks for her contribution to our success. I would also, like to thank all of those who submitted articles and photographs for the publication. This is truly a community guide in that we invite community leaders to contribute articles on their subject matter expertise.

We are proud of the accomplishment, and with any success related to Culpeper, there are many that make it possible. This award is a reflection of our corporate spirit. It is a reflection of the great things that we can do together as a community. Though the award is largely a reflection of the excellence, lead by the CSE team. I am confident that the content, which reflects who we are, contributed significantly to the warmth attracting the 1st Place Award.

Well done Culpeper!!! Congratulations!!! Thanks Culpeper Star Exponent!!!!

Look for the 2012 Issue at CulpeperFest June 7th.


Jim Charapich, CEO/President
Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce