Michaux Hood is an outstanding Charlottesville based graphic designer and website developer. Her dedication and focus in developing Gratitude Cville’s comprehensive website directly benefits and improves the lives of our communities’ active duty military, veterans and police as it communicates the myriad of programs available to support them, and also serves as a tool to raise funds on their behalf.
Michaux shared her intriguing journey to how she settled on her career field and started her business, Charmed Works. “After college I worked briefly for the National Park Service as an interpreter but wanted to return to my hometown of Charlottesville. As an NPS interpreter I helped create visitor center and campground educational displays and developed an interest in graphic design. I took a certification program at Piedmont Community College and then obtained my first full time salaried job working for a small local design firm, Category 4, that worked with local businesses and nonprofits on branding, website development and marketing. After a few years, I started out on my own company with a focus on working with nonprofits including their fundraising campaigns.
Michaux’s knowledge and affinity for our military was greatly influenced by working under the guidance of Colonel John “Jack” Reeves when she was a teenager working for three years as a summer camp counselor at Nature Camp, Inc. Colonel Reeves exhibited leadership and compassion as the Camp Director, and he also served as an instructor at the Virginia Military Institute for over 30 years in primarily biology, ecology, archeology, and wildlife management.
Michaux enjoys her work with Gratitude Cville. “Like many nonprofit groups, the people at Gratitude Charlottesville are each working in their own ways and pooling their skills to make a larger difference together. Being part of a team like this is the most enjoyable part for me. I also enjoy their pets’ programs because I am a proud owner of a shelter pet”.
Because she spends much of her workday on a computer, she enjoys being active when taking a break. “I’m either playing soccer with the Charlottesville Women’s Soccer league, growing vegetables in my community garden plot at Rives Park, walking with my dog on the Rivanna Trail, or swimming with the Cville Masters swim team. (I am training to swim at the US Masters National meet in summer of 2022)! I also enjoy volunteering at my daughter’s Montessori school and making music and preparing food with friends. For all Michaux does for our local active-duty military, veterans, and their families, she is the October 2021 Gratitude Charlottesville Friend of Freedom Award winner.
Each month, “The Freedom Fund” Board of Directors will choose a FOF award winner to be featured on Gratitudecville.com. Winners will get a trophy and sometimes a monetary award. To nominate person or organization that promotes and protects freedom in our community, email us at gratitudecville@gmail.com.
