The Shadow
Michelle Botkin Wolven of Buchanan and Bill Wolven, her husband, are two of eight founding members of the Nightcrawlers Jeep Club Va. Chapter.
The Virginia Nightcrawlers Jeep Club, a nonprofit organization, serves jeep owners from the Roanoke area throughout Southwest Virginia.
The jeep was invented at the request of the U.S. Army in 1940 to fill its need for a four-wheel drive, lightweight vehicle that would be rugged and capable of supporting a machine gun while traveling over rough terrain. The first jeeps were unveiled on July 16, 1941, and they played an important role in helping the Allied Forces win World War II.
Other founding members of the Virginia Nightcrawlers Jeep Club are Tink Hutchinson and Dina Hutchinson, his wife, from Craig County, and Johnny Cross and Marcy Cross, his wife. They live in Roanoke County.
Eric Chrisley and Melissa Chrisley, a couple who live in Salem, are also founding members.
After graduating from Covington High School in 1989, Michelle moved to Los Angeles. However, by 1991, she had moved back to Virginia.
Born in Covington in 1971, Michelle has been employed by Altec in Botetourt County for the past 19 years, and she owns a 2016 Wrangler 75th Edition that she calls “her baby.”
Michelle’s father, the late Bob Kimberlin, was from Covington, and Etta Botkin, her mother who is retired, lives on N. Alleghany St. in Clifton Forge.
Michele said, “We got our club started on March 2, 2001.”
The Nightcrawlers Jeep Club Chapter of Virginia has grown to include more than 800 members.
“We have about 815 members in the Southwest Virginia area who own around 700 jeeps,” Michelle noted.
She added, “We do parades and get together to hold benefits for worthwhile causes.”
Dina offered, “We were able to raise money for one of our members to end overdosing.”
She continued, “We have also raised money for Deputy Hicks of the Roanoke Police Department.”
Dina concluded, “No jeepers left behind is our motto.”
The club has an open invitation extended to the public for new members, and anyone who owns a jeep and wishes to join the Nightcrawlers may join by visiting Facebook@nightcrawlersvachapter.com.
