October 2, 2014 – DANVILLE, VA — The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region (CFDRR) was recently presented a $250,000 gift from Duke Energy in support of the new RiverBank Fund earmarked for the protection and revitalization of the Dan River. The announcement was one of several gifts announced by Duke from their Water Resources Fund.
“On behalf of the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region, and on behalf of the residents and businesses in the Dan River Basin, all of whom will benefit from our action today, we thank Duke Energy for sharing our vision of a more beautiful, more productive and more user-friendly Dan, said Peter Howard, president of The Community Foundation’s Board.”
The Community Foundation’s RiverBank Fund is a special initiative to celebrate and revitalize the Dan and to offer the long-term care and appreciation the River deserves. Support is being sought from residents and businesses from Patrick, Henry, Pittsylvania, Halifax, Mecklenburg counties (VA) and Stokes, Caswell, Rockingham counties (NC), as well as the City of Danville and beyond, who want the Dan River and its tributaries to thrive. Donations may be made online at www.riverbankfund.org.
The Fund will help in five fundamental ways:
1. Responsibly address water quality for regional residents and companies.
2. Encourage new development that ecologically features the River.
3. Improve the cleanliness of the River and the Basin and help protect it from environmental threats.
4. Increase access to the River for family-friendly sports, recreation and entertainment.
Effectively promote the River to build regional pride and encourage tourism.A regional advisory committee is being formed to help guide the development of the fund and the strategic disbursement of grant funds.
The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is a public 501c3 charity that serves a region from Martinsville/Henry County through Mecklenburg County in Virginia as well as the neighboring North Carolina counties. The footprint of the Foundation and its experience in administering grant funds allows the RiverBank Fund to be established quickly and efficiently.