Community Engagement at SML Gives

Joey Donovant

Founder & Executive Director

Joey's leadership is grounded in compassion, collaboration, stewardship, and the simple idea of neighbors taking care of neighbors through community support.

Under Joey’s guidance, SML GIVES INC has transformed from grassroots fundraising and food delivery efforts into a significant regional organization dedicated to hunger relief. This includes home food delivery, pantry support, bulk food redistribution, household stabilization assistance, and various resources aimed at helping neighbors transition from crisis to stability. Additionally, the organization is working towards establishing a permanent community resource center and food pantry in Glade Hill, Virginia.

Joey’s personal experiences have profoundly shaped his approach to service. Having faced substantial personal adversity and recovery, he offers both professional expertise and lived perspective in his work. He believes that dignity should never be conditional, that seeking help should not undermine a person’s worth, and that meaningful community change occurs when individuals are willing to share resources, relationships, and responsibilities.

Recently, Joey was honored with a nomination for the esteemed Steward of the Lake Award from the Smith Mountain Lake Association, while SML GIVES INC was also nominated for Nonprofit of the Year by the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce.

When he isn’t busy with the next SML GIVES INC project, Joey is typically found at a community meeting, a food distribution, overseeing a renovation project, participating in a fundraising event, or engaging in a conversation that starts with, “I have an idea…”

Kevin Bugg

Vice President

With four decades of service to State Farm, including 30 years as an Agent, Kevin has built a career focused on community support, protecting families, supporting businesses, and strengthening communities.

A graduate of Radford University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Insurance, Kevin blends his industry expertise with a lifelong commitment to public service and civic leadership.

Beyond the insurance profession, Kevin has actively engaged in community leadership roles, including two terms as Mayor Pro-Tem for the Town of Kernersville. His additional service includes Past President of the Rotary Club of Kernersville, Past Director of the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Korner’s Folly Foundation, and Vice Chairman of the Kernersville Foundation Board of Directors.

Kevin’s contributions to community support have earned him recognition through various awards including Small Business Person of the Year (2006), Citizen of the Year (2009), U.S. Lacrosse Man of the Year – North Carolina (2011), and the Community Distinguished Service Award (2023).

As a passionate advocate for youth and community development, Kevin founded Kernersville Cannons Youth Lacrosse and currently serves as Chairman of the Salvation Army Kernersville Advisory Board. He also leads initiatives such as SML Gives, focusing on hunger relief and community assistance, and has held positions as President of Reel Connections for Kids at Smith Mountain Lake, Board Member of the SML Rotary Club, and Board Member of the Smith Mountain Striper Club. In 2024, Kevin graduated from the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy.

Napoli Restaurant Group

Melanie and her husband Brian manage the kitchens of Napoli Cowboy and Napoli by the Lake. With a strong commitment to community support and feeding those in need, Melanie designs and leads our special events and food service for our annual holiday benefit, contributing to hunger relief initiatives through SML Gives.

State Farm

Susan Hogan brings a lifelong passion for community support and helping neighbors in need to her role with SML GIVES INC. A native of Franklin County, Susan grew up working on a local farm where she learned the value of hard work, resilience, and the importance of supporting her community.

Professionally, she serves as a Catastrophe Team Manager with State Farm, traveling across the US to assist communities recovering from disaster. Her experience has deepened her commitment to hunger relief, ensuring that rural neighbors have equitable access to food and resources. Susan is dedicated to finding practical solutions that will strengthen the community she proudly calls home.

PenBay Technology Group

Bob Santmyer and his wife Andrea have been residents at Smith Mountain Lake (SML) since 2015. Bob owns and operates a service-disabled veteran-owned small business headquartered in Union Hall, specializing in technology solutions for the federal government (DoD and Federal Civilian Agencies). With a strong commitment to community support, Bob joins SML Gives Inc after previously managing a food ministry in Northern Virginia that focused on hunger relief by providing hot meal services for those in need.

Philanthropist and Lead Singer of In the Meantime, Marie Anderson brings a robust background in social work, advocacy, and community support to SML GIVES INC. With degrees in Psychology and Social Work from the University of Virginia, she is dedicated to strengthening families and providing hunger relief to neighbors in need. Alongside her professional endeavors, Marie has spent 15 years as a professional musician and operates a sanctuary dedicated to offering lifelong care for FIV+ cats.

Aullsome Lake, LLC

John is a founding member of SML GIVES INC, an organization dedicated to community support and hunger relief. Throughout his career, John has served on several nonprofit boards and was instrumental in bringing the vision of SML GIVES INC to life. His passion for building meaningful relationships that create lasting impact became personal after he volunteered on one of SML GIVES INC’s food delivery routes. John remains committed to strengthening community connections, supporting neighbors with dignity and compassion, and expanding the reach of SML GIVES INC.

Optum Health Care

Shanna is a Registered Nurse with over thirty years of experience in community support for seniors and enhancing the quality of care in long-term care communities throughout Virginia. Her career has been devoted to advocating for vulnerable populations, strengthening healthcare systems, and ensuring that seniors receive the dignity and support they deserve, particularly in areas related to hunger relief.

In addition to her healthcare career, Shanna serves as a Beauty Society Brand Ambassador, where she shares wellness and beauty products that align with her passion for helping others feel confident, cared for, and supported.

Having lived in the Smith Mountain Lake community for just over three years, Shanna is thrilled to be part of the mission of SML Gives Inc., contributing to initiatives that foster community support and address local needs.

Page Detailing

Kavyn Page grew up in Boones Mill and has dedicated years to working at the lake, serving the local community. As the owner of Page Detailing, Kavyn helps customers restore and maintain their vehicles and equipment with a strong emphasis on quality and reliability. Additionally, he is involved in boat sales with Bridgewater Marina, where he is recognized for offering honest guidance to customers, ensuring they find the best boating solution to meet their needs.

Kavyn is a caring individual who is passionate about community support, particularly through initiatives like hunger relief. He is honored to be part of SML Gives, an organization committed to feeding those in need and making a positive impact in the Smith Mountain Lake community.

Peggy Overstreet Team

LAKE HOMES REALTY

A lifelong resident of the Smith Mountain Lake region, Peggy Overstreet brings deep community roots, strong leadership experience, and a passion for community support to SML GIVES INC. Having witnessed the area's growth and transformation over the years, she is committed to strengthening the community she has proudly called home throughout her life. Peggy built a successful career in sales, management, and real estate, developing expertise in relationship building, strategic planning, and community engagement. Since becoming a licensed real estate professional in 2010, she has earned a reputation for integrity, dedication, and exceptional client service. Her professional experience has equipped her with valuable skills that support the mission and growth of SML GIVES, particularly in its hunger relief initiatives.

As a board member, Peggy plays a key role in advancing the organization's fundraising efforts, cultivating community partnerships, and helping secure resources that benefit local hunger relief initiatives and charitable programs.

SML GIVES INC

Elizabeth “Beth” Deemer is a seasoned sales and business development professional with extensive experience in sales management, supplier relationship management, and strategic growth initiatives. Born in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Beth dedicated over 32 years to Office Depot’s business division, where she occupied leadership roles that significantly contributed to organizational growth and customer success. During her career, she managed Office Depot’s Hawaii sales organization for 15 years, building high-performing teams and fostering strong client and supplier partnerships.

Now retired and residing in Union Hall, Virginia, Beth applies her relationship-focused approach to business and community engagement through her efforts with SML Gives, which is committed to community support and hunger relief. Her collaborative leadership style, strategic mindset, and passion for creating meaningful connections are key to delivering lasting impact.

Kroger C-Suite (Retired)  Tim resides at Smith Mountain Lake and retired following a distinguished career with Kroger, where he served on the company’s Executive Leadership Team. After relocating from the Midwest as part of the founding team that helped establish a national grocery retailer in NC, Tim built his career through hard work, leadership, and a deep commitment to service, ultimately collaborating with company leadership on major operational initiatives focused on community support and hunger relief.  Tim has long demonstrated a dedication to community engagement and nonprofit leadership. He served for over a decade as Board Chairman of United Way of Roanoke Valley and continues that commitment as Chairman of the Board of SML Gives. His leadership reflects a strong belief in servant leadership, community partnership, and ensuring neighbors facing hardship are met with dignity, compassion, and meaningful support.