Skip and Majken Mathis: Serving with seniors

1 p.m., Warm Hearth Drive median, Blacksburg

Name: Skip and Majken Mathis
Hometown: Blacksburg
Occupation: Retired

Photos and audio by Amy Matkze | The Roanoke Times

Warm Hearth volunteers and residents Skip and Majken Mathis planned a tree planting ceremony at Warm Hearth Village to commemorate the anniversary of April 16, 2007, inviting residents and Virginia Tech police officers and first responders Ofcs. Tony Miller and Jason Johnson to attend.

The Mathis both said they wanted to plan an event at Warm Hearth because many of residents and employees are former Virginia Tech professors and alumni with deep connections to the school. "We're only five miles away from the school," Majken Mathis said, Jerry Cardwell and Joe Kipps, grounds supervisors, planted the Japanese Dogwood and the officers ended the ceremony by shoveling dirt onto the tree.

Groups of residents stayed to greet the officers and thank them for their service to the community.