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A reward is in store for a lucky few young people who take the step and get their COVID-19 vaccine.

Gary Ward is an inmate at Greensville Correctional Center, but that doesn’t stop him from giving back to his community in any way he can.

Ward is offering a $25 gift card to the first 10 youth ages 12 to 18 who are willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Ward wants to do his part to keep folks safe.

“This new COVID-19 Delta variant is taking a hold on everybody, especially the young people,” said Ward. “These are our kids, the future of Virginia and our great country. No one should die this way when there is a vaccine that’s proven to help keep us alive and potentially prevent death due to Covid.”

With the help of his wife and daughter, Ward has made numerous other donations while spending time behind bars. In addition, the family has donated to other causes in the past years, including the Salvation Army and the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters.

“As I continue to grow in life, I realize it’s not about me,” said Ward. “I look at all the people that have died and are still dying. I just want to extend my help in the best way possible by giving my support and encouragement in the right direction. I’m going to see if I can help as many kids as I can.”

Ward hopes that youths who choose to get the vaccine will encourage their friends to get the shot as well so they can both claim the gift card reward. Those who do claim the gift cards will call his daughter Arnisa Ward to set up a meeting with the youth and their family to prove the vaccination and receive the reward.

“I’ve talked to my kids and grandkids about getting the shot,” said Ward. “They had their doubts and beliefs about getting the shot. My continued pursuit of showing/sharing with them just how important the shot means has changed their minds.”

For those who would like to claim a gift card, call Arnisa Ward at 757-316-7873 to set up a meeting.