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Banquets of Hope: How God’s Pit Crew and IALR Serve the Community Together

Banquets of Hope: How God’s Pit Crew and IALR Serve the Community Together

Could you serve 490 people in just eight minutes? Well, God’s Pit Crew and the IALR Conference Center can! 

On March 21 and 22, God’s Pit Crew hosted their 2025 Benefit Banquet at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) Conference Center. Not only did they serve 490 people in under nine minutes one night, but they did it two nights in a row. Nearly 1,000 volunteers and attendees participated between the two nights. 

“It’s almost a week’s worth of setup on our part,” Randy Johnson, Founder of God’s Pit Crew, said on a recent Inside IALR podcast. “We are so thankful that the IALR Conference Center is so gracious and helps in any way that they can to make this an incredible event for us. It just wouldn’t be possible for us if it weren’t for the conference center here.” 

The story of God’s Pit Crew 

When sitting at home in Danville watching the people of Oklahoma get torn apart by the Bridge Creek-Moore tornado, Terri and Randy Johnson knew they had to help.  

In 1999, with the help of some friends, they were able to fill three tractor-trailers with supplies to help the people of Oklahoma. This marked the beginning of God’s Pit Crew and their first relief.  

Since then, they have responded to more than 200 natural disasters by providing supplies, cleaning up damage and debris and even building new homes for those who lost theirs.  

“Having been through a natural disaster myself, I know how much it means just to have people show up and care,” IALR Conference Center Vice President Tracy Fink said on a recent episode of the Inside IALR Podcast. “When I walked out of that destroyed building, people immediately asked, ‘Can I help? Can I give you water?’ That kindness in a moment of shock is something you never forget. What God’s Pit Crew offers, whether it’s building homes or simply being present, is a powerful gift.”

A Memorable Yearly Event  

As a non-profit, God’s Pit Crew receives most of its income through donations. One of the ways they obtain funds is through their annual benefit banquets at the IALR Conference Center. These events raise thousands of dollars through ticket sales, with all proceeds going toward helping those in need. In addition to fundraising, the banquet also showcases the impact of their work, featuring powerful video testimonials and stories that highlight how their relief efforts have transformed lives. 

It takes God’s Pit Crew an entire week to transform the Conference Center’s Great Hall. Bringing their own lights, camera, screens and hand-designed backdrops, God’s Pit Crew converts the space to truly make it their own.  

“One of the great things about the IALR Conference Center is it is so versatile that if we wanted to have an event and not bring anything, we could. But if we want to bring additional products and stuff to make it bigger or make it the way we want it, you all have been very gracious to work with us.” – Randy Johnson, God’s Pit Crew Founder 

God’s Pit Crew used the atrium for merchandise tables including t-shirts, CD’s and stuffed animals, and some Blessing Buckets for donations, supporting God’s Pit Crew.  

With such a versatile and flexible space, the Conference Center offers a suitable venue for any trade shows or vendors. It has the space to accommodate business needs in a modern, functional environment with advanced technological capabilities.
Inside IALR Podcast: Restoring Hope, the Mission of God’s Pit Crew

Inside IALR Podcast: Restoring Hope, the Mission of God’s Pit Crew

Let’s hear from Randy Johnson, founder of God’s Pit Crew, a faith-based disaster relief organization headquartered in Danville, Virginia, and Tracy Fink, Vice President of the IALR Conference Center. God’s Pit Crew has transformed from a simple altar prayer 26 years ago into an extensive operation that has responded to over 200 disasters across more than 30 states and 15 countries.

Randy shares the remarkable growth of God’s Pit Crew and explains their strategic four-pronged disaster response: delivering essential supplies, providing immediate cleanup and tree removal, rebuilding homes—including an unprecedented commitment to constructing 25 new homes this year for Hurricane Helene victims—and redistributing over $5 million annually in donated goods to local nonprofits within 200 miles of Danville. Tracy highlights the longstanding partnership with IALR and details the annual benefit banquet hosted every year at the IALR Conference Center, which gathers nearly 1,000 supporters and showcases the organization’s profound impact.

Highlights include:

  • Origins and Growth of God’s Pit Crew (00:45)
  • Comprehensive Disaster Response Approach (02:15)
  • Building Homes and Restoring Lives (07:30)
  • Local Community Impact (12:20)
  • Annual Benefit Banquet at IALR Conference Center (16:50)
  • Volunteer Stories and Community Spirit (20:05)

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

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LISTEN ON IALR’S SITE

 

ICC Hosts 1,000+ Guests at God’s Pit Crew Benefit Banquet

ICC Hosts 1,000+ Guests at God’s Pit Crew Benefit Banquet

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) Conference Center recently welcomed over 1,000 guests for God’s Pit Crew’s annual benefit banquet. Spanning three nights, the event highlighted the impactful work of the organization and showcased the IALR Conference Center as Southern Virginia’s premier event venue.

God’s Pit Crew, a Danville-based nonprofit dedicated to providing relief to those affected by natural disasters and crises, chose the IALR Conference Center for its spacious and versatile facilities. This is the 13th year God’s Pit Crew has chosen the IALR Conference Center for its annual benefit banquet.

“It’s always a joy and a pleasure to work with the IALR Conference Center. There’s no other place where we would want to be to do our event. Everyone here works with us so well. It’s such a wonderful facility. The food is amazing. It is just a magnificent facility, and we are so thankful to have this in our community.” – Randy Johnson, God’s Pit Crew Founder

The main banquet took place in the Great Hall, a spacious 8,400 square-foot event venue capable of accommodating large gatherings. God’s Pit Crew brought in many of their own decorations, making the space their own.

The Conference Center staff filled the room with 42 60-inch round tables that could seat eight each, creating an inviting atmosphere for guests to enjoy their dinners and participate in the evening’s activities.

In addition to the Great Hall, God’s Pit Crew utilized the Atrium to welcome guests and sell merchandise. The Atrium provided a welcoming entrance for attendees and a convenient space for fundraising efforts, adding to the event’s overall success.

“Hosting events like the God’s Pit Crew banquet is truly an honor for us. With top-notch customer service, quality catering and flexible spaces, the IALR Conference Center is the ideal venue for memorable events of all types and sizes.” – Tracy Fink, Vice President, IALR Conference Center

Whether you’re planning a corporate conference, a community fundraiser or a special celebration, the ICC offers the ideal setting to bring your vision to life. Dynamic spaces like the Great Hall, Atrium, business conference rooms and Auditorium combine with exceptional service and amenities to ensure that every event hosted at the ICC is a success.

Contact us today to request a quote and discover how we can make your next event unforgettable.

Request a Quote

 

God’s Pit Crew 25th Anniversary Benefit Banquet

God’s Pit Crew 25th Anniversary Benefit Banquet

God’s Pit Crew is honored to be able to be the hands and feet of extending hope, healing, and restoration to hurting people in times of disaster, but everyone who donates and supports our mission is the reason that we can do what we do – and we definitely could not do it without each of YOU.

By attending our upcoming Benefit Banquet, YOU make it possible to continue deploying to major disasters… to continue delivering life-sustaining supplies to hurting people… and to continue being the hands and feet of Jesus.

The annual Benefit Banquet is open to anyone interested in attending

Register

IALR’s Virtual Holiday Tree Program Names Winner

IALR’s Virtual Holiday Tree Program Names Winner

Online votes result in $2,000 donation check to charity

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is pleased to announce that God’s Pit Crew is the winner of the 11th annual Decorating the Trees for a Cause program, which was held virtually this year. God’s Pit Crew’s tree received 632 “likes” or votes on IALR’s Facebook voting competition. Thanks to the sponsorship of an anonymous donor and Sodexo, the organization will be presented a $2,000 donation check.

Businesses and organizations were invited to submit one photo of a decorated tree along with a charity of choice. All photos were posted online for a virtual viewing and voting experience, benefiting the charity of the tree with the most votes. Thirty-seven trees were submitted, and a total of 5,413 “likes” were collected. All trees can be viewed at http://bit.ly/IALRtrees2020.

“We have such a spirited community that really rallied behind our modified Decorating the Trees for a Cause event,” said Ellen Bass, Sales & Marketing Manager for IALR. “I want to thank all those businesses and organizations who took the time to submit a photo of their decorated tree. IALR was honored to keep the tradition alive in a new, virtual format to continue to engage the community, celebrate the holidays and support our local charities.”

Last year’s Decorating the Trees for a Cause program featured 44 trees. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s tree received the most votes, benefiting the United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County. Foster Insurance’s tree received the second most votes, benefiting God’s Pit Crew. Since the program’s beginning in 2010, more than $119,000 has been raised for charitable causes.

Photos from IALR’s Decorating the Trees for a Cause Goes Virtual program can be viewed at http://bit.ly/IALRtrees2020. God’s Pit Crew won the most votes with 632 Facebook “likes” and will receive a $2,000 donation check sponsored by an anonymous donor and Sodexo.