The Community Foundation Announces $1,151,205 in New Grants; Over $9 Million Given Since Formation

For more information, contact Debra Dodson at (434) 793-0884

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region announced today a total of $1,151,205 in new grants to 73 non-profit community agencies at a reception at the Ballou Recreation Center. This is the eleventh year of operation for the Foundation, with total grants returned to the community now over $9 million.

This year’s grants contain $750,000 in funding made available by a grant from the Danville Regional Foundation.

The Community Foundation announces over $1 million in grants to 73 non-profit community agencies, January 14, 2009

The Community Foundation Premiers Video at Appreciation Luncheon

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region premiered its new promotional video at its Appreciation Luncheon held Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at the Danville Golf Club. Nearly 200 supporters heard three guest speakers, including Marketing Committee Chairman Bonnie Cooper and video production coordinators Leonard Carter and Reed Dillon.

President Eddie Herndon told of the Foundation’s impact during the past year. Donors established six new funds under the Foundation’s umbrella for a total of 68 funds with total assets of $17,292,572 as of June 30, 2008. Over $1,840,000 was awarded this year alone through scholarships and grants. The Community Foundation has returned over $7 million in grants and scholarships to the region in its 12 years of history.

Cooper described the development of the Marketing Committee several years ago to help potential donors understand the services available through the Community Foundation. She introduced Carter and Dillon as representatives of Carter Media in Roanoke, the company who produced the 5-minute video. The two producers described how they framed interviews with four Foundation supporters with various grant recipients to capture the full relationship.

Free copies of the 5-minute DVD are available at the Community Foundation office. The video is also available for viewing on the web site www.cfdrr.org. The video was underwritten by a generous grant from the Danville Regional Foundation.

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve and enrich the lives of people in our community by encouraging the generosity of donors. Donors may establish their own endowment fund to support particular areas of interest or may make unrestricted gifts to any existing fund.

For more information, contact the Community Foundation at 541 Loyal Street, P.O. Box 1039, Danville, VA 24543, (434) 793-0884 or through their web site www.cfdrr.org

The Community Foundation Accepting Grant Proposal

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is now accepting proposals for its next round of grant making. This is the twelfth year the Foundation has awarded discretionary community grants, with over $6.6 million having been distributed so far.

Information has already been mailed to over 250 community non-profit organizations in Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell County. The Foundation is accepting Preliminary Request applications from 501c3 charitable organizations until July 24, 2008. The Preliminary Request applications should include a brief overview of the proposed project. The Foundation’s Distribution Committee will then select which organizations to ask to submit full grant applications.

With the help of a generous gift of $750,000 from the Danville Regional Foundation, the Community Foundation will have over $1 million available for grants this year. Up to 50% of the Danville Regional Foundation funding will be earmarked for healthcare and human services.

The Community Foundation is a public charity established in September 1996 by a steering committee of civic leaders to meet a variety of social, educational, cultural and other charitable needs in the Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell County area, as well as Southern Virginia and Northern North Carolina.

Organizations interested in receiving more information should contact The Community Foundation office at 541 Loyal Street, P.O. Box 1039, Danville, VA 24543, (434) 793-0884 or fax (434) 793-6489 or visit www.cfdrr.org.

The Community Foundation Awards Over $195,000 in Scholarships to 63 Area Students

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region has awarded over $195,000 in scholarships to 63 area students. Presentations were recently made from 22 different scholarship funds within The Community Foundation.

“We are so excited to help open the doors of the future to so many students,” said Debra L. Dodson, Executive Director for The Community Foundation. “We have awarded over $950,000 in scholarships to almost 320 students since the Foundation was begun in 1996.”

The James W. Bryant and James T. Collie Scholarship was established with The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region in 2005 by a retired school teacher. The scholarship is for Pittsylvania County Public Schools graduates, with a preference for those pursuing education or nursing. Three scholarships of $1,000 each were presented to Gretna High School senior Ceseley Haynes (Virginia Tech), Tunstall High School seniors Jackson Mark Hylton, Jr. (Virginia Tech) and Jennifer Slaughter (University of Virginia). Kerri Brumfield from Tunstall High School received $700 to attend Danville Community College.

The Bernard C. Calvert Scholarship was established in 2004 by the Brosville Council #51 of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. The scholarship is restricted to Tunstall High School graduates, preferably students who attended either Brosville or Stony Mill Schools. Calvert scholarships were awarded to Virginia Erin Gee (University of Virginia) who received $1,150 and Jameson Finney (Rochester Institute of Technology) who received $1,000.

The Danville Academic Boosters Club Scholarship was awarded to the top five scholastic students in Danville Public Schools – Ariel Talts (Galileo), Juliana CanoMejia (Galileo), Ramey Williams (Galileo), DesRaj Clark (GWHS) and Christopher Monioudis (GWHS)

The John Watson Daniel Scholarship was established by the JWD Retirement Club in 1997. One scholarship of $625 was awarded to Brandon Clark to attend Virginia State University.

The Danville Regional Medical Center Auxiliary/Volunteers Scholarship was established in 2008 for Danville Regional Medical Center employees and volunteers and their immediate families, who are studying in a medical field. Six scholarships of $1,660 were awarded to Joshua Beach (Campbell University School of Pharmacy), George Washington High School senior Anne Cox (University of Virginia), Akshitkumar Mistry (Vanderbilt University School of Medicine), Rhonda Morris (DRMC School of Health Professions Nursing Program) and Tunstall High School seniors Sarah Smith (Lynchburg College) and Cara Weatherford (Virginia Tech)

One student received the John R. and Betty B. Eggleston Scholarship, established in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Eggleston in 2002. Natalie Hodges, a Bartlett Yancey High School senior, received $1,025 to attend Piedmont Community College.

The Margaret Spruce Floyd Scholarship was established in memory of Mrs. Floyd and transferred to The Community Foundation in 2004. The scholarship is awarded to female high school students from Pittsylvania County. Two Margaret Spruce Floyd scholarships were awarded this year. Elizabeth Cassada from Chatham High School received $1,000 to attend Samford University and Leah Whitt from Dan River High School received $1,425 to attend Campbell University.

Six Danville area Gignac Scholars will continue their studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago with an annual support totaling $126,400. The Gignac Scholars are Patrick Bray, Jennifer Gambrell, Corey Hawker, Sayiddah McCree, Andrew Mey and Andrew Rust

The Ray M. Harris Scholarship was created in memory of Mr. Harris and transferred to The Community Foundation in 2004. The scholarship gives primary consideration to Pittsylvania County high school graduates. A total of five Ray M. Harris scholarships were presented this year. Each student was awarded $2,100 – Tunstall High School senior Kristin Barker (James Madison University), Rachel Brinkley (currently attending University of Virginia), Dan River High School senior Kayla Dalton (Danville Community College), Virginia Shealy (currently attending Averett University) and Galileo Magnet High School senior Ariel Talts (University of Virginia).

The Stuart Harris Drama Scholarship recognizes outstanding drama students in the Danville Public Schools. George Washington High School senior James Meissner received $1,400 to continue his education at the University of Mary Washington.

The John L. Hurt, Jr. Scholarship supports students from Gretna High School, with a preference for students who have attended the John L. Hurt, Jr. Elementary School. Scholarships of $1,200 each were given to Nicholas Hagood and Keystin Patrick to continue their education at Radford University.

Four scholarships totaling $5,500 were awarded from the Onnie H & Bertie W. Milloway Scholarship to assist area students who attend Averett University. Scholarships were presented to current Averett students Benjamin Boatwright, Dustin Echols, Pattie Keatts and Brittany Shepherd-Walker

The Patrick H. Musick Scholarship was established recently for needy, talented students attending Averett University, with a preference shown to students who have a tennis playing background. This year’s scholarship of $625 was awarded to Pattie Keatts.

The Arnold B. Porter & Elizabeth J. Porter Scholarship was established in 2008 for students who are members of Fairview United Methodist Church. A scholarship of $1,200 was awarded to Galileo Magnet High School senior Christopher Andrews to attend Virginia Tech and a scholarship of $1,600 was awarded to George Washington High School senior Kelsey Phillips to attend the University of Virginia

Four area students received scholarships from the Irene L. Pritchett Scholarship, created years ago to benefit area black students. The Pritchett scholarship was transferred to The Community Foundation in 2001. Gretna seniors Evelyn Dearing (George Mason University), Dominique Hubbard (Old Dominion University) and Tunstall senior DeJane’ Carroll (University of Mary Washington) received $1,000 each. George Washington High School senior Jendayi Falero was awarded $1,100, to continue her education at Spelman College.

The Alger Pugh Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of Alger Pugh, GW High School football coach, after his death in 1984. The scholarship was then transferred to The Community Foundation and is given to deserving GW athletes. Two students were awarded $1,150 scholarships – Kirk Chalmers, Jr. to attend Livingstone College and Nikita Logan to attend Old Dominion University, and two students were awarded $1,200 scholarships – Kelli Farthing to attend the University of Virginia and Demarcus Shanklin to attend Hampden-Sydney College.

Three scholarships of $1,050 were given from the Riddle-Francis Scholarship, which was created in 2005 by a retired teacher to benefit Pittsylvania County students, with a preference for Tunstall and Dan River students. Scholarships were awarded to Tunstall seniors Ridge Gibson (Danville Community College) and Kevin Hill (University of Virginia), and to Dan River senior Gwendolyn Turner (Lafayette College).

The Percy and Velna Scearce Scholarship was created in 2001 to benefit area students. Bartlett Yancey High School senior, Michelle Garland received a $1,575 scholarship to continue her studies at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro.

The Spiros Skenderis Memorial Scholarship, which was created by the Danville Bar Association in memory of Judge Spiros Skenderis. Judge Skenderis served as a compassionate judge of the Danville Juvenile and Domestic Relations District for 19 years. Two $750 scholarships were given to Melanie Fowler who is graduating from Galileo Magnet High School and plans to attend Liberty University and Mary Koplen who is a George Washington High School senior and plans to attend the University of Richmond.

The Eileen and Joseph Stendig Scholarship was created in 2005 to benefit area students. George Washington High School senior Veena Aswath (University of Virginia) and Galileo Magnet High School senior Holley Hyler (Old Dominion University) both received $1,375 scholarships.

Two scholarships were awarded from the Louise P. Surles Scholarship. The Surles Scholarship supports area students who attend the University of Virginia. Tunstall High School senior, Kevin Hill, was awarded $1,625 and Gretna High School senior, Raquel Martin, received $1,300.

The Andy Warren Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of GW High School assistant football coach and is given to deserving GW athletes. Two scholarships of $1,000 were awarded to Mary Anderson (Davidson College) and Patrick Shelton (University of Virginia). Zachary Harrelson received $2,000 to continue his education at Hampden-Sydney College.

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region, formerly known as DPC Community Foundation, is a public charity with total assets of $17 million. The Foundation serves a region from Martinsville-Henry County to South Boston/Halifax County, including the neighboring North Carolina counties.

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is a fully tax-exempt organization. Individuals or businesses may establish their own endowment or scholarship fund or may contribute any amount to existing funds. For more information, contact Debra L. Dodson at 541 Loyal Street, P.O. Box 1039, Danville, VA 24543, (434) 793-0884 or visit their web site www.cfdrr.org.

The Community Foundation Announces $1,361,655 in New Grants

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region announced today a total of $1,361,655 in new grants to 67 non-profit community agencies at a reception at the Ballou Recreation Center. This is the eleventh year of operation for the Foundation, with total grants returned to the community now over $8 million.

This year’s grants contain $1 million in funding made available by a one-time grant from the Danville Regional Foundation.

The following grants were approved by The Community Foundation’s Distribution Committee and Board of Directors and awarded from various funds as described below:

Animal Protection Society of the Northern Piedmont &#8211 ($7,000) – to replace animal shelter’s HVAC system. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Bachelors Hall Volunteer Fire Department – ($3,280) – to purchase three sets of field communications equipment and one computer. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Danville
– ($50,000) – to support youth activities, volunteer training, marketing and strategic planning. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Blairs Fire and Rescue
– ($50,000) – to assist with purchase of new fire truck. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Danville Area
&#8211 ($2,300) – to purchase 100 folding chairs and 10 tables to accommodate club members (Danville Regional Foundation, Pat & Cathy Daly Family and Philip & Frances Daly Funds)

Brosville Community Volunteer Fire Department
– ($9,000) – to purchase an advanced "high lift" air cushion rescue kit. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund

Casville Volunteer Fire Department – ($8,500) – to purchase training DVDs and books for all firemen in Caswell County for review or certification. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Caswell Council For The Arts – ($10,000) – to support the restoration/framing of newly acquired works, preparation/printing of catalogue, and promotional expenses for Maud Gatewood exhibition. (Clarence Giles Fund)

Caswell County Cooperative Extension Services – 4H – ($2,400) – to allow two Safe Sitter instructors to become certified Basic Life Support instructors and purchase mannequins to use in classes. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Caswell County Partnership for Children – ($5,000) – to provide five education field trips for at-risk youth enrolled in the Support Our Students Afterschool Program. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Caswell Family Medical Center – ($50,000) to purchase and implement a practice management software system. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Caswell Friends of the Library – ($2,500) – to present a Moms and Friends Read-Aloud program and give a book to each student. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund, Claudia Vernon Smith Fund)

Cedar Terrace Tenant Association – ($1,500) – to purchase art supplies, teaching materials, snacks and drinks for youth-oriented programs. (Faye Carter Fund)

Chatham Fire Department Auxiliary – ($75,000) – to construct second floor living quarters of the Chatham Fire Department. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Chatham First – ($4,000) – to purchase two Holophane "GranVille" street lamps for the 1813 Clerk’s Office area. (W. Earl & Elise M. G. Allen Fund, Audrey F. Millner Memorial Fund)

City of Danville Ballou Recreation Center – ($12,000) – to assist with Danville Senior Transportation services at Ballou Recreation Center. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

City of Danville/Danville Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team – ($9,500) – to purchase a thermal imaging camera for responding to Haz Mat emergency incidents. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

City of Danville Fire Department
– ($5,600) – to purchase spinal immobilization equipment and automatic external defibrillators. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

City of Danville Sheriff’s Office – Project Lifesaver – ($5,000) – to purchase tracking devices for Project Lifesaver clients. (The Daniel Fund, Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Climax Volunteer Fire Department – ($3,900) – to purchase firefighter turn-out gear for three new members. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Crisis Line of Danville-Pittsylvania County – ($4,500) – to purchase a professional display board for use at community events and provide food vouchers through the H.O.P.E. program. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Dan River Business Development Center – ($16,000) – to provide furnishings for a room to house seven office enterprise centers. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville Area Choral Arts Society – ($1,500) – to present a choral concert for the general public observing the one year anniversary of the Virginia Tech tragedy. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville Burn Fund – ($2,500) – to provide assistance to those affected by fire or disaster. (Ahmed Childrens Fund, Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville Cancer Association – ($25,000) – to assist with cost of cancer-related prescriptions for local cancer patients. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville Church-Based Tutorial – ($45,000) – to implement a comprehensive health, physical education, and healthy lifestyles program. (James Russell Anderson & Zora Carter Anderson Fund)

DCC Educational Foundation – ($50,000) – to conduct a community-wide assessment of dental needs in below-poverty level populations. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville Life Saving Crew – ($49,000) – to purchase five Power-Pro battery powered hydraulic stretchers for ambulances. (P. Niles Daly, Jr. Fund, Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History
– ($1,175) – to acquire a hygrothermograph to help preserve archives. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services
– ($20,000) – to conduct a limited pilot program to explore preventative and restorative oral healthcare services for high-need, low-income adults with mental illness, mental retardation, and substance abuse disorder. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville-Pittsylvania County Habitat for Humanity
– ($800) – to purchase materials to build a handicap ramp at the Habitat office. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville-Pittsylvania County Habitat for Humanity – ($10,000) – to purchase building materials for the construction of a home for a low income family. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville Public Schools-Galileo Magnet High School – ($3,400) – to implement One Book One Community program and purchase a book for each student and faculty member. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville Public Schools –W.W. Moore, Jr. Education Program – ($5,700) – to complete the Utility Friendly Tree Nursery and Arboretum. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville Science Center – ($40,000) – to support the "Too Small to See" exhibit. (Faye Carter Fund, Clarence Giles Fund)

Danville Speech and Hearing Center – ($10,000) – to provide speech/language pathology services to uninsured, low income, and minimally insured adults. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville Symphony Orchestra – ($8,300) – to present four free, live orchestral concerts. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Danville Youth GROW (The First Tee of Danville) – ($2,000) – to provide scholarships, snacks and transportation for participants. (James Russell Anderson & Zora Carter Anderson Fund, Faye Carter Fund)

Free Clinic of Danville – ($100,000) – to assist with Nurse Practitioner salary and costs of prescription medications. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

God’s Pit Crew – ($66,000) – to purchase a 2002 Kenworth WL900 road tractor to transport products. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Goodwill Industries – ($4,000) – to assist clients and some approved employees in emergency situations with medical, utility and grocery expenses. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Hatcher Center – ($182,000) – to market programs at the Center; update current signs and brochures and promote products as an on-line store; for continuous development, training and building/grounds upgrades. (Faith Home Fund)

Hatcher Center – ($3,500) – to provide t-shirts and rides from Fun-Time Amusements for Sammye Shelton Field Day. (Faye Carter Fund)

Hope Harbor (Alcoholic Counseling Service of Danville) – ($32,000) – to cover start up costs for Re-Entry Residential Services, Community Outreach Program, including renovations, furniture, equipment, staff training and development. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Institute for Advanced Learning and Research – ($5,000) – to provide matching funds for AmeriCorps Southside to leverage state grant. (Administrative/Unrestricted Fund)

Just Kids Child Development Center – ($4,500) – to provide field trips and outside guest programs for the summer program for 5-12 year olds. (Faye Carter Fund)

Mount Hermon Volunteer Fire and Rescue – ($19,100) – to purchase two battery powered hydraulic ambulance stretchers. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

M.T. Sorrell – ($4,400) – to purchase a new camera monitoring system. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Northern Pittsylvania County Food Center – ($2,000) to add protein products to food boxes. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Oak Grove Residential Care – ($2,800) – to install new water heater in front half of building. (W. Earl & Elise M.G. Allen Fund)

Pelham Volunteer Fire Department – ($6,000) – to help finance new radio equipment for fire personal safety. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Piedmont Community College – ($11,000) – to provide start-up funding for a MENTOR program for at-risk students. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Pittsylvania-Caswell Youth Livestock Association – ($6,500) – to purchase equipment for the safe loading and unloading of livestock and to purchase a projector for use during the sale. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Pittsylvania County Community Action – ($6,500) – to conduct a pilot program to provide breakfast meals to ten nutritionally needy senior citizens. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Pittsylvania County Literacy Program – ($6,500) – to provide computer equipment, software and student/teacher materials and supplies at Pittsville and Brosville ABE Centers. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Pittsylvania County Schools/FIRST Robotics Program – ($4,000) – to purchase two notebook computers with software and to help fund FIRST team attendance at competitions. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund, Gamewood Technology Fund)

Pittsylvania Historical Society – ($3,900) – to defray costs of designing, setting up and launching a website. (W. Earl and Elise M.G. Allen Fund)

Providence Fire and Rescue – ($3,600) – to purchase a TarHEEL Rescue Tool. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic – ($10,000) – to provide equipment, membership and training for up to 96 students with print disabilities. (Faye Carter Fund, Danville Regional Foundation Fund, James A. and Anne V. Robertson Fund)

Red Cross – Piedmont Carolina Chapter – ($1,500) – to purchase an LCD projector and laptop and identification vests for volunteers. (Barbara H. and Herbert W. Sater Fund)

Sandy River Community Park – ($15,000) – to construct a walking track, basketball court and install water and septic system. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Southern Area Agency on Aging – ($60,000) – to provide a framework of home services and support for older citizens. (James Russell Anderson & Zora Carter Anderson Fund)

Town of Yanceyville – Family Services of Caswell County – ($18,000) – to purchase three computers, two printers, copier and supplies to support Domestic Violence Shelter (House of Esther). (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

Tunstall Volunteer Fire and Rescue – ($15,000) – to assist in the purchase of a backup generator for the facility. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

White Oak School – ($30,000) – to purchase a 15-passenger van. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

YMCA (Danville Family) – ($80,000) – to replace old 15-passenger vans with 15-passenger mini-buses. (Danville Regional Foundation Fund)

YWCA – ($47,500) – to identify and hire a qualified dedicated Program Director. (The Daniel Fund, Danville Regional Foundation Fund, and Harry Melton Hood Fund)

The following grants were also recognized but have been previously awarded:

Garden Club of Danville Fund and Alma Courtney “Sigie” Perkinson Rose Fund
Garden Club of Danville

Bobby Hawker Memorial Fund
Piedmont Access to Health Services (PATHS)

Holland Fund and Wynne’s Falls Fund
Cross Roads Christian Counseling Center

Keokee Fund
Averett University

Alexander Heath Light & Mary Nelson Light Mission Fund
Oak Grove Residential Care

Miller-Woodberry Fund
Cape Fear Academy

Morotock Arts and Culture Fund
Averett University
Danville Area Association for Arts & Humanities
Danville Area Choral Arts Society
Danville Concert Association
Danville Museum of Fine Arts and Culture
North Theatre

Benjamin M. Sugg Fund
Clover Cemetery

Veterans Memorial Fund
City of Danville/Veterans Memorial

The Community Foundation’s next grant cycle will begin in June for projects to be funded in 2009.

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is a public charity established in September 1996 by a steering committee of civic leaders to meet a variety of social, educational, cultural and other charitable needs. The Foundation serves a region from Martinsville/Henry County to South Boston/Halifax County, including the neighboring North Carolina counties.