CHESTERFIELD, Va. -- A social media surge from local supporters has pushed a Chesterfield mom into the national spotlight.
Pam Mines runs the nonprofit JP JumPers Foundation, and she was just nominated as a finalist for the Good Neighbor Award presented by Steve Harvey.
"To have people nominate me and have me represent Virginia as one of four in the country -- it's humongous,” Mines said.
JP is Mines’ son, and he has autism. She is well-known around Central Virginia for her work as an advocate for the autism and special needs communities.
Colleagues and supporters said the fact that she is a top four finalist shows her mission is making an impact.
“Pam opens her heart and mind to possibilities, she first comes from a place of gratitude and possibilities -- doesn't see no as an option,” said David Thomason.
Adrian Ward, a former Steve Harvey award recipient nominated Mines and then helped keep the social media push going.
Supporters flooded Harvey’s site with votes to put Mines in the final four.
"She's an all-around great person who brings a big awareness to autism and special needs community -- that's an unseen population,” Ward said. “To put in all that effort is awesome.”
“When the community says ‘Pam we think you are a leader,’ and ‘when we think about autism or special needs, we think of you’ -- I know I’m doing what God chose me to do and that's a fulfilling experience,” Mines said.
Mines is counting on those supporters to rally around her June 15. That is when voters will go to neighborhood awards.com and vote for a winner.
If Mines wins, she'll be flown to Las Vegas to pick up her award, and a $30,000 prize to be used for her nonprofit.
