July 11, 2006
MAJOR GIFT FROM ANDERSON ESTATE
For more information, Debra
L Dodson
Contact: [434] 793-0884
James Russell Anderson, a Danville businessman and philanthropist who died April 28, 2005, has left a legacy to his community estimated to exceed $3 million.
The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region has already received
a total of $2.1 million from the estate of the deceased owner of Diamond
Paper Co. Through his will, Mr. Anderson established the James Russell
& Zora Carter Anderson Endowment Fund, which is unrestricted to meet
community needs.
With the receipt of the Anderson bequest, The Community Foundation, established
in September 1996, now has nearly $14.6 million in assets. The public
charity serves the region from Martinsville and Henry County to South
Boston and Halifax County, including Danville, Pittsylvania County, and
the neighboring North Carolina counties.
Community Foundation President Samuel A. Kushner said, “We are gratified
by Mr. Anderson’s generosity. His confidence in the Foundation and
his commitment to the community will make a lot of wonderful things possible.”
Born in Halifax County, Mr. Anderson died at the age of 87. He was associated
with Diamond Paper Co. for 56 years and retired in 2002 as its president
and owner. He also was a former chairman of the board of Southside Manufacturing
Co.
Mr. Anderson’s community work included service on The Community
Foundation’s Faith Home Advisory Committee, as well as the board
of directors of Hope Harbor and the board of trustees of Averett University.
He was a member of the Danville Rotary Club, the Morotock Masonic Lodge
#210, Danville Shrine Club and was a 32nd degree Mason in the Danville
Scottish Rite. He was a U.S. Army veteran.
For more than 50 years, Mr. Anderson was an active member of West Main
Baptist Church.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Zora Carter Anderson, and later
married Othelia Shelhorse, who survives.
In its nine years, The Community Foundation has granted $4.3 million to
area non-profit organizations and $565,000 in scholarships to more than
190 students.
For more information, contact The Community Foundation at its office,541 Loyal Street, P.O. Box 1039, Danville, VA 24543, (434) 793-0884
or visit the web site at www.cfdrr.org
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE DAN RIVER REGION
541 Loyal Street
P. O. Box 1039
Danville, Virginia 24543
Ph: (434) 793-0884 Fax: (434) 793-6489
E-mail: communityfoundation@gamewood.net
