Community Foundation announces creation of Governor’s School fund

The Community Foundation along with the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School, is thrilled to announce the creation of the SVGS Director’s Fund in honor of Linda N. Cauley, the first director of the school who retired last year.

Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School has numerous alumni, students, parents and patrons who have expressed an interest in contributing financially to the current and future needs and general welfare of the school. As a result, SVGS seniors, Grant Sauer, Molly Huss and Trevor Fisher established this fund to show their appreciation of SVGS, its staff and the many opportunities offered to them and other students in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County.

As their senior project, Grant Sauer, Molly Huss and Trevor Fisher wanted to show their appreciation of SVGS, its staff and the many opportunities offered to them and other students in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County. “This endowment will benefit SVGS programs not covered by the school budget—such as scholarships, trip support and other appropriate purposes. This fund offers parents of current and former SVGS students along with the community, an opportunity to contribute to this wonderful program that has been so instrumental to area youth for nearly 19 years,” says Lee Ann Whitesell, SVGS director.

The Community Foundation is extremely diverse in its grant making and the SVGS Endowment Fund is another example of how the Community Foundation partners with many different organizations and individuals by connecting people who care with causes that matter. “I’m very pleased that the Community Foundation has collaborated with SVGS and is able to assist with this senior project—as this project will keep giving for many years to come and possibly forever,” says Becky Kohler, president/CEO of the Community Foundation.

SVGS is a program for gifted, talented and highly motivated students and serves approximately 200 11th and 12th grade students from Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro.  SVGS strives to provide a challenging environment while also building skills and knowledge necessary to be successful now, in college and throughout life. Hundreds of elementary, middle, and high schools students from the area are also enriched through their outreach program.

For more information about the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School, please contact SVGS Director Lee Ann Whitesell, at (540) 245-5088 or visit www.svgs.k12.va.us/web/ . To inquire about making a gift to the SVGS Endowment Fund, contact Becky Kohler, president/CEO of the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, at (540) 213-2150 or [email protected] .