Community Foundation To Present Community Grants of Nearly $200,000 -
Grants Will Go to 36 Local Organizations

May 27, 2011 Staunton, VA – The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge is pleased to announce nearly $200,000 in competitive community grants to 36 organizations serving the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro, and the counties of Augusta and Nelson.

Who:    Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge

What:   2011 Community Grants Awards Ceremony

When:   Thursday, June 2, 2011 from 9:30 am –10:30 am (Note to media: remarks begins at approximately 9:45 am)

Where:  Community Care Building, Augusta Health, Fishersville (off Medical Center Circle, just before AMC Wellness Center)

The ceremony will be attended by the organizations receiving funding, past and present Community Foundation board members, and several fund partners.

“Community needs continue to be particularly compelling this year, and we are thankful to be able to invest in worthy programs that can directly serve the people of our community by providing food for the hungry, creating better lives for our children, supporting the arts, creating educational and counseling opportunities for youth and adults alike, and many other necessary and vital projects,” says Christiana Shields, Grants Manager.  In addition to its competitive grants program, the Community Foundation distributes over $800,000 dollars annually in awards, grants and scholarships.  Becky Kohler, the Foundation’s CEO, noted, “Each year, our grants help fill the gaps in basic human services, health, arts, education, and more.  The cumulative value of our gifts now exceeds $4.5 million.” Funding for these grants is made possible by a combination of the unrestricted and field-of-interest funds established and grown by the donations of generous, community-minded individuals and investment returns on endowed funds.  
 
2011 Community Grants will be awarded to the following organizations

Augusta Health Hospice – Camp Dragonfly -Offers children’s bereavement services through a summer camp. Award will provide supplies.

American Shakespeare Center – Brings middle and high school youth to the Blackfriar’s for reduced or free rates.

Augusta Regional Dental Clinic - Award will provide dental services to 600 children from low-income families in the area.

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank- The BackPack program will supply nutritious food to low-income children during weekends and holidays, when they do not have access to free lunches and school-based resources.

Blue Ridge Legal Services- Award will provide free high-quality legal advice and representation to low-income elderly persons in our area.

Boys and Girls Club- Award will support a program to promote diversity and combat bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination.

CASA -Award will Expedite placement of vulnerable children into safe, permanent, and nurturing homes, as part of the Court Advocacy for Abused/Neglected Children Project.

Casa D’Amistad - Award will provide after-school tutorial programs and adult ESL classes.

Cat’s Cradle- Spay/Neuter assistance for animals in Staunton. 

 

Children’s Art Network- Award will provide art programs for school children that emphasize the sol’s.

Community Child Care Center- Award will provide scholarships to low-income families who do not qualify for DSS assistance. 

Family Resource and Referral Center- awards will provide support for in-home visits to at-risk families to help prepare children for school, in addition to funds for childcare provider training.

GRASP- Award will provide advisors to assist students and parents prepare for and attain a post secondary education.

 

Habitat for Humanity- Brush with Kindness program will help homeowners with critical repairs. 

 

Historic Staunton Foundation- Award will help with the conservation of the T.J. Collins collection. 

 

Rebuilding Together Amherst/Nelson- Provides critical home repairs for low-income, elderly, or disabled home-owners of Nelson County.

Rebuilding Together Augusta- Provides critical home repairs for low-income, elderly, or disabled home-owners in our area.

Salvation Army – Waynesboro –The Neediest Families Program is designed to meet the financial, emotional, and material needs of area families.

Shenandoah National Park Trust –Award will help  to draw visitors to Waynesboro for the Park’s 75th Anniversary celebrations.

Shenandoah Valley Community Focus – Funding will support an after school and summer program for troubled youth, in addition to parenting classes for the community.

Special Olympics of Virginia- Award will allow local athletes and coaches to compete in the Special Olympics Fall Championship Competition.

 

Staunton Music Festival- Award will provide a free concert series as part of the renowned Staunton Music Festival, including one for children.

Valley Aids Network- Award will provide emergency rental, utility, and heating assistance to Valley residents diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

Valley Children’s Center- Provides a friendly environment and support services for children suffering from sexual or physical abuse.

 

Valley Conservation Council- Award will fund  a series of free public presentations on conservation and planning practices for the community.

Valley Hope Counseling Center- Provides low-fee mental health counseling services to uninsured local residents.

 

Valley Mission- Award will provide the resources to offer a formal life skills education program for mission residents.

 

Valley Symphonic Concerts- Sponsors professional musical performances and education to local students during the In-School Music Program.

Verona Community Food Pantry- Award will secure nutritious food to serve needy families in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County.

Volunteer Farm- A project to work with local high schools to grow produce for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

Valley Program for Aging Services- Award will provide AED’s for the Staunton and Churchville Senior Centers.

 

Wintergreen Adaptive Sports- A collaboration to bring 8 WWRC clients to weekly ski instruction and therapy.

 

Wayne Theatre Alliance- Award will purchase a system to amplify sound for the hearing impaired at performances.

 

Waynesboro Heritage Foundation- A series of educational Civil War performances for students. 

 

Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra- Award will provide scholarships for string school students.

Waynesboro Family YMCA- Award will enhance lighting and security

About the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge http://www.communityfoundationcbr.org/  enriches quality of life by responding to needs and inspiring philanthropy in our community.  The Foundation serves the communities of Staunton and Waynesboro, as well as Augusta, Nelson and Highland counties. As one of the largest philanthropic institutions in the Central Blue Ridge, the Foundation is committed to careful stewardship of and thoughtful investment in our region’s future.  Unlike other non-profit organizations, the Community Foundation is endowed in perpetuity.