CHARLOTTESVILLE (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — The 2019 National Championship Trophy is featured prominently on the right side of the atrium at John Paul Jones Arena as fans and spectators who enter can view the shrine to athletic greatness.

Tens of thousands of fans will stream in later this fall to get their first glimpse of new men’s basketball coach Ryan Odom’s first Virginia squad, while thousands more will cheer on Charlottesville native Kymora Johnson, and the women’s program.

Recently, though, Charlottesville and Albemarle residents have been able to enter the confines of the arena to celebrate community rather than sports.

Thursday, United Way of Greater Charlottesville held its 34th Annual Laurence E. Richardson Day of Caring Kickoff Breakfast at John Paul Jones Arena. This event serves as a way for the numerous volunteers to join together before being sent into the community for volunteer work.

Ravi Cooper, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Charlottesville, in an interview with Cville Right Now said, “It’s really a moment to get energized, to have fellowship, to network, and to go out and do good work in the community today.”

Kevin McDonald, Vice President for Community Engagement at UVA and a United Way of Greater Charlottesville Board Member, also noted the positivity associated with the venue at the Day of Caring.

“You can’t walk into JPJ and not be energized, (even) outside of concerts, outside of sporting events,” McDonald said, “I think it just brings an energy not just for our faculty, staff, and students, but also for our local community to come here and support.”

The United Way volunteer kickoff event was an example of JPJ providing space for Charlottesville outside of UVA fandom. McDonald noted the venue is beginning to transform into more of a community space. “We’re finding that we’re starting to host other things at JPJ, which is kind of awesome.”

One of those other events was a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb organized by Albemarle County Fire Rescue and the Charlottesville Fire Department. On September 13, firefighters and the public were invited to participate in a memorial to the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks.

Dan Eggleston, Chief of ACFR, noted, “It’s a way for us, as a community, to come together in their honor and ensure that their sacrifice continues to be remembered.”

Whether it’s thousands of orange and blue clad fans or hundreds of volunteers eager to improve their community, John Paul Jones Arena is becoming a place where all of Charlottesville can come together.