Community Foundation announces scholarships
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge announces awards of nearly $50,000 in scholarships to 38 area students.
“We are so excited and thankful to be able to offer these scholarships that potentially open doors that may have otherwise remained closed. By minimizing the financial concerns of these young adults, they can focus on their studies and achieve what they set out to do,” said Becky Kohler, president/CEO of the Community Foundation. Read more
Community Foundation announces partnership aimed at continuing education
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge is pleased to announce a new partnership with Great Aspirations Scholarship Program Inc., a Virginia-based nonprofit charitable organization funded by school systems, foundations, businesses and individual donors that assists students and families obtain funding for post-secondary education.
GRASP strives to provide every high school student with an equal opportunity for continuing education, regardless of financial or social circumstances. Founded in 1983 by Virginia State Sen. Walker Stosch and Dr. Raymond Garguilo, it helps students develop educational plans for after high school by placing a financial aid advisor in each school (one day per week for the school year) to work alongside school staff to leverage financial aid opportunities for colleges and trade schools. Read more
Community Foundation announces scholarship opportunities
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge is currently accepting scholarship applications from seniors attending high schools in Staunton, Waynesboro and the counties of Augusta and Nelson. Additionally, adults are encouraged to apply for select scholarships.
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge administers over 25 scholarship funds that will yield over $40,000 in scholarships this year. Each scholarship has its own specific purpose, selection and eligibility criteria. Read more
WaynesboroYMCA.com: Exercise Your Brain!
Edited by Chris Graham
WaynesboroYMCA.com
Learn more about the Exercise Your Brain! event being held at the Waynesboro Family YMCA on Wednesday, March 24.
Information on the brain-exercise program and a downloadable PDF can be accessed here.
The Big Read: Fahrenheit 451
Column by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
OK, have to admit something here. I haven’t read Fahrenheit 451. I know the premise, seems interesting, seems like the kind of book that I would just eat up, since the Cliff’s Notes people say it’s about book burning and information control and other things that get me riled up.
Haven’t read it. I’m starting it today. The Big Read has power!
I interviewed Christiana Shields from the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge for the Monday AFP Show podcast to talk about The Big Read, a project led by the Community Foundation with matching-grant funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Read more
VPAS benefits from new endowment
Staff Report
News tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge announced today the recent creation of the Valley Program for Aging Services Endowment Fund.
The estate of Leonard Penland, a Waynesboro resident who died in 2009, made the first contribution of $100,000. Mr. Penland wished to honor Lewis Coiner of Waynesboro (Coiner was the first executive director of the Foundation) in support of his work with elderly citizens.
Penland indicated that he hoped to provide a way for VPAS “to further its purposes.”
Paul Lavigne, President of the Valley Program for Aging Services, has been notified of the gift. Additional contributions to the VPAS Endowment Fund are welcome by check payable to the Community Foundation, P.O. Box 815, Staunton, Va. 24402.
Community Foundation Week highlights work of valuable local charity
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge will join more than 700 community foundations across the United States in celebrating charitable giving during Community Foundation Week, Nov. 12–18, 2009.
Locally, the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge is best known for The Big Read, the Dawbarn Education Awards, and a host of scholarship opportunities. The organization, which serves the communities of Staunton and Waynesboro, as well as Augusta, Nelson and Highland counties, has an extraordinary reach and positive impact on our region. Read more
