First Autism Education Fund grants awarded

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is pleased to announce that Gretna Elementary School and Rivermont School have been approved to receive the first grants from their Autism Education Fund.  This Fund was created with the proceeds raised from the 1st annual Dan River Autism Awareness 5k. 

Applications will be accepted every spring to award grants to support the education related to individuals, families, community, and educators in Danville, Pittsylvania County, and Caswell County.

This year’s grant to Gretna Elementary School will be used to purchase “The Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills-Revised,” “Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment,” “The Big Disc of ABA Programs,” and “ABA Graphing CD.”  This software will help to assess where a child is in their education.  The school will be more equipped to place children and provide them with the tools to gain a better education. 

The grant awarded to Rivermont School will be used to purchase a Wii for a student.  This purchase will help with weight loss, hand-eye coordination, and education through the different games available.

The Community Foundation is a fully tax-exempt organization. Individuals or businesses may establish their own fund or may contribute any amount to the Autism Education Fund or other existing funds. The Community Foundation may be contacted at 541 Loyal Street, VA  24541, (434) 793-0884 or https://www.cfdrr.org

Blair Lumpkins selected for Middle Border Forward Initiative

The Community Foundation is pleased that our Program Officer, Blair Lumpkins, has been selected to participate with the Middle Border Forward Initiative. Blair joined the Foundation staff in May, 2012 and is a graduate of Chatham High School and Longwood University.

IMG_7457 Blair re

More than 115 residents of Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell County applied and 50 were chosen to lead in the creation of a regional vision with a new culture of regional cooperation. These “50 Under 50,” or Middle Border Forward Fellows, represents the next two generations of diverse leaders that will move the community onward to success.

More information on the Middle Board Forward Inititative is available here