About Us

Rustburg Polo Club (also known as Compassion In Action) is chartered as a nonprofit corporation under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Virginia, as contained in Chapter 10 of the Code of Virginia. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose purposes are limited to acts of service and public, not-for-profit activities.

Our Story

It started with a simple belief: if you see a need, meet it.

Rustburg has a community like any other, full of hardworking people, good neighbors, and genuine heart. But like many small towns, it also carries real and urgent needs that often go unmet. Acute physical needs. Everyday struggles that don't make headlines but quietly shape lives.

We saw it, and couldn't not help.

What began as a handful of like-minded individuals partnering with local social services and area businesses — quickly became something bigger than any one person could have imagined. Those early efforts were humble but meaningful: paying an electric bill for a family on the edge, sourcing a recliner and a mattress from local businesses to give to someone who had nothing to sleep on. Small acts. Real impact.

The approach was never complicated. See a need. Meet it. Move on to the next one. No red tape, no waiting — just a community showing up for itself. These efforts didn't replace existing nonprofit services; they filled the cracks in between, supplementing support where it was needed most.

Out of that spirit and our passion for people and showing others the love of Christ, a group effort that started around a shared table and evolved into something far greater: a network of people committed to ensuring that families who couldn't provide for themselves didn't have to face that reality alone.

But we didn't stop there.

We began to ask a harder question: What if we could do more than meet the immediate need? What if we could help people never need us again?

That question is driving our future. Through educational programs, hands-on classes, and skill-building initiatives — like our partnership with the Jamie Oliver Cookery School — we are investing in long-term change. Teaching people how to care for themselves and their families while breaking the bad habits of generational cycles.

Because resilience isn't just surviving today — it's having the tools to thrive tomorrow.

We are a community. We are a movement. And we are just getting started.

Meet The board

melissa Partridge

Executive Director

As the Founder and Executive Director of Rustburg Polo Club, Melissa combines a Master’s in Applied Developmental Psychology from Liberty University with a deep commitment to serving the Rustburg area. Her leadership is informed by specialized research into resilience, spirituality, and social connectedness, as well as a certification in Positive Psychology. With a background in research assessment and data analysis, she utilizes evidence-based strategies to drive organizational development and community outreach. Her work is an extension of her dedicated volunteerism with organizations like CASA of Central Virginia, Meals on Wheels, and Parkview Mission. From grant writing to strategic planning, she is passionate about building socially connected systems that empower her local community.

Terri swisher

President

Terri is a retired pharmaceutical and clinical sales professional with over 30 years of experience across diverse medical fields, including oncology, immunizations, and behavioral health. She has a proven record of managing and marketing extensive product portfolios, strategic business plan development, and market expansion strategies.

Throughout Terri’s career, she excelled in building and supporting strong customer relationships and valued the opportunity to collaborate with clients to meet specific needs.

Terri is passionate about serving people in need while building community and relationships. The Rustburg Polo Club is founded on the biblical principle of caring for neighbors while reflecting the face and love of Christ and this provides Terri with the opportunity to serve in a manner that aligns with her beliefs.

gene grosvenor

Vice President

Gene was born in Lynchburg and has spent most of his life connected to the Campbell County community he deeply appreciates. He and his wife have raised two children here, and he continues to work full time in Lynchburg while remaining active at Thomas Road Baptist Church.

As the son of a Marine, Gene’s early travels helped him recognize the compassion and strength of Campbell County, ultimately guiding his family to make it their home. He values supporting others and believes in lifting up neighbors through connection, care, and prayer.

Gene is honored to serve as Vice President of the Rustburg Polo Club, where he is committed to helping advance the organization’s mission and support the people of Campbell County.

laura grosvenor

Treasurer

Laura has lived in Campbell County for most of her life and is deeply committed to serving the community she calls home. She is married and has two children. With 35 years of experience working in banking, Laura has developed a strong passion for people and service. She enjoys helping her neighbors and believes in building a stronger, more connected community. As Treasurer of the Rustburg Polo Club, Laura is honored to support the organization’s mission by helping steward resources and meet the needs of the people of Campbell County.

todd swisher

Board Member

Todd was born and raised in Lynchburg, VA. He spent 27 years with the Lynchburg Police Department, retiring as Deputy Chief in 2018. He then spent the next 3 years earning his Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Lynchburg. In 2020 he became the Circuit Court Clerk for the City of Lynchburg.
In addition to his career in public service, Todd has been very involved in his community through volunteer efforts over the years, to include the Lynchburg Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Central Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program Board of Directors, helping to fund scholarships for graduating high school seniors at Heritage High School, and as a coach/board member for the Lynchburg Little League Program.
Todd strongly believes each of us has a responsibility, a duty, to find meaningful ways of serving others and making our respective communities better. Simply put, that’s what Christ followers do. In keeping with that, the Rustburg Polo Club offers another opportunity to serve a community – the Rustburg community.

Angela holt

Secretary

Angela Holt has been teaching in the higher educational IT field for over 25 years. She loves to help people learn more about technology and how they can use it to better their lives. Throughout her career, she has focused on giving students and professionals the digital skills they need to keep up in a fast-changing world but also take pride in seeing students grow in confidence and ability.

Outside of work, she enjoys cooking and spending meaningful time with friends and family. RPC gives her the opportunity to do that while also giving back to her community. She was drawn to RPC because she values connection, creativity, and making the most of her time with the people and places that matter most in her life.

gary holt

Spiritual Director

Gary Holt serves as the spiritual leader/advisor for the Rustburg Polo Club, where he helps guide the organization in reflecting the teachings of Jesus Christ through its outreach and interactions with the community. As a charter board member, he is honored to support the club’s mission of serving others and sharing Christ’s love in meaningful, practical ways.

Outside of his volunteer work, Gary is a Right of Way Project Manager with Appalachian Power. He is also a passionate student of American history and is currently pursuing a doctorate in history through Liberty University. Gary is a member of Thomas Road Baptist Church, where he serves as a leader of an adult Life Group. In addition, he volunteers at Patrick Henry’s Red Hill in Brookneal, Virginia, contributing to their living history program.

A lifelong resident of Campbell County, Gary deeply values both its rich heritage and its people. He has been married to his wife, Angela, for 32 years, and together they have two adult children, Landon and Loryn. In his free time, Gary enjoys golfing, participating as a historical reenactor, reading historical non-fiction, and following Liberty University athletics—Go Flames! Above all, he finds great joy in serving others, and his work with the Rustburg Polo Club provides a meaningful opportunity to live out that calling.

Our Partners