Who throws a bithday party in a supermarket, Delegate Sam Rasoul does and with style! For years, if something important was happening in Roanoke – a protest, a meeting, a special occasion, or a volunteer opportunity – there’s a solid chance that Rasoul was somewhere in the crowd.
Rasoul’s respected presence in the community has been earned with consistent actions over time, not empty words.
Family, friends, colleagues, educators, law enforcement officials and supporters flocked to Market on Melrose Sunday, June 28 to celebrate Rasoul’s 45th birthday and take advantage of his gifts to the community – free grocery cards, birthday cake and a live band. The celebration was announced by Rasoul on his Facebook page in the days leading up to the fantastic midday affair.
“If you are grocery shopping this weekend, I have a request for my birthday. Please consider doing your grocery shopping at the Market on Melrose on Sunday at 1 p.m. You will receive a $5 gift card for a discount on your groceries and a slice of cake,” he wrote.
When Christian McCoy arrived, the first thing he did was thank Rasoul for all the work he had done. “I’m sure that being a politician is not as easy as he makes it look. Sam is a diamond for us, and he shines brightly not just when he’s representing us in Richmond, but also at the example he sets in the community,” he said.
At times, the celebration looked less like a birthday party and more like a community reunion.
The Bobkat Jazz Band consists of four gifted individuals: Kathryn Hopkins (vocalist), Allan Walker (sax), Bob Peckman (drums) and Casey Valleroy (keyboad). The diverse quartet showcased their talents during a lengthy set as shoppers browsed the isles.
The birthday celebration was a clear reminder of the devotion Rasoul has from different factions of the community. When asked to describe what the moment meant to him, he replied, “I am so blessed. To have so many people take the time to be here meant the world to me.”
An Ohio native, Rasoul went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration from Roanoke College and a Master of Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University. A member of the Virginia House of Delegates since 2014, in April, after many conversations with his family, Rasoul decided not to run for Congress this year.
“Because of his leadership, public service and community advocacy, it would not shock me if in the next decade, Rasoul is representing the Star City on Capitol Hill,” longtime supporter Nate Smith said.
