Bob McDonnell made a visit to Carpenter’s Shelter January 14, just two days before being sworn in as the 71st governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Executive Director Fran Becker gave the governor-elect a tour of the 80-bed facility, which included a visit with children and families in a play area and computer lab.

McDonnell used the visit as an opportunity to highlight the need for private donations to help fill the gaps in government funding in these tough economic times.

“Donate time, talent and money to help other people,” McDonnell said. “Government’s not going to be able to do everything this year with the budget downturn.”

McDonnell praised the shelter, which boasts a 90 percent success rate in training and placing residents in jobs and returning them to permanent homes.

He then donned an apron and lent his culinary skills to assist the shelter volunteers in preparing grilled cheese sandwiches for the residents.

“I am the oldest of five kids in a family who all love grilled cheese sandwiches,” McDonnell said. “I think I got pretty good at making these growing up.”