The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region has awarded grants to two organizations in Halifax County through its 2025 Fund for Halifax grant cycle — Halifax Paws and Claws SPCA and Turbeville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association.

Halifax Paws and Claws SPCA received $2,564.50 to expand its spay and neuter program. This program decreases the overpopulation of animals in the community by providing assistance to low-income families to spay or neuter their pet.

Turbeville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association was awarded a total of $2,564.50 to purchase a LUCAS 3 device. The funding was provided by the Fund for Halifax County and the South Boston Medical Fund. The primary purpose of the device is to enhance the quality of chest compressions during cardiac arrest situations. By providing consistent, high-quality compressions, the device allows first responders to focus on other critical aspects of patient care such as airway management, medication administration and rapid transport to the hospital.

“The purchase of a LUCAS 3 device for our department would improve survival rates and neurological outcomes in cardiac arrest patients. This device would not only save lives, it would improve the quality of life for those saved,” said Stephen Farrar, EMS Captain of the Turbeville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association.

The cost of the LUCAS device is close to $19,000. Thus far, between this grant and a donation from The Mattiloi Foundation, the association has more than $3,500 toward the purchase of this crucial device. If you would like to help raise money for this device contact Farrar at 434-753-6726.

These locally awarded grants are possible thanks to forward thinking Halifax County residents who created the Fund for Halifax County to support the county’s charitable organizations. The grant cycle includes funds from the South Boston Medical Fund, which provides grants to support indigent care and general medically related charitable causes in Halifax County. The next cycle of online grant applications will begin August 1, 2025.

In addition to the aforementioned grants, the county’s charitable organizations receive funding from the Gideon Miller Cancer Fund and the Benjamin M. Sugg Fund throughout the year. For more information about the funds currently available to support Halifax County and South Boston, to give to one of these funds, or to establish your own charitable fund, visit CFDRR’s website www.cfdrr.org or contact The Foundation’s office at 434-793-0884 or by email info@cfdrr.org.