The Nelson County Community Fund has awarded much-needed funds to eight non-profits serving county residents for this fall. Three of the organizations are providing resources to deal with the impact of opioid/meth addiction crisis on families.
Pictured left to right are Elizabeth Tuel, Devils Backbone corporate social responsibility manager; Joe Steele, founder and treasurer, NCAC, Steve and Heidi Crandall, founders of Devils Backbone; and Jane Francis, co-chair, Advisory Committee.
For everyone else who needs to move it after a big Thanksgiving meal, the “Be Thankful 5K” race will be held again this year on Friday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m., at Bold Rock Cidery, 1020 Rockfish Valley Hwy. (Rt. 151), Nellysford, VA.
All ages can participate, even leashed dogs, and prizes will be awarded for the fastest in each age group. Bring yourself and your extended family to walk/run the beautiful Rockfish Valley Foundation course.
For details and to preregister, click here. Register by Nov. 12 to receive a t-shirt. Pick up packets Wednesday, Nov. 21, 4-6 p.m. at Bold Rock Cidery.
Final registration is 7:30-8:30 a.m. on Friday; pay with cash or check only.
The event is sponsored by Wintergreen Resort, Bold Rock Cider, and the Rockfish Valley Foundation. Net proceeds will benefit the Nelson County Community Fund, where neighbors help neighbors in need.
Pictured are (left to right) Neil Ripani (Wintergreen Resort), Jane Francis (NCCF Advisory Committee), Sarah Jane Stewart (Co-chair, NCCF Advisory Committee), Art Thorn (NCCF Advisory Committee), Donna McCurdy (Co-chair, NCCF Advisory Committee), Lindsay Dorrier (Bold Rock Hard Cider), Lou Siegel (Rockfish Valley Foundation)
NCCF received a contribution of $1,500 from Wintergreen Resort and $500 from Bold Rock Hard Cider as proceeds from the Be Thankful 5K at Thanksgiving 2018. The course followed the trails of Rockfish Valley Foundation. Wintergreen Resort has supported NCCF since 2011 by donating a total of over $15,000 in proceeds from the 5K. Bold Rock has contributed a total of $1,000 over the past two years. NCCF is grateful to these Nelson County businesses and nonprofits for this support.
The following is a list of some of the grants provided by the Nelson County Community Fund to organizations serving the people of Nelson County. Some of these organizations have received a grant for one time, and other organizations have received funding for multiple years for the same or a different program.
American Red Cross:
Disaster Services – Preparedness, Response and Recovery, including the Pillow Case Project for elementary school students
Nelson County Community Development Foundation:
Emergency home repair for elderly and disabled residents of Nelson County (multiple years)
Unity in Community Outreach Ministry, Inc.:
Financial assistance program to assist individuals and families in emergency or in need and help with dental and vision program (multiple years)
Wintergreen Performing Arts:
Enhancement of the arts and music programs at local elementary schools (multiple years)
Blue Ridge Medical Center:
Medication Assistance Program – provide three-month supply of prescription drugs to low-income/uninsured patients with chronic illnesses requiring ongoing medication therapies (multiple years)
Rural Health Outreach Program (RHOP) – Health Compass Program: includes home visits by outreach nurses, education support groups, and screening services at community events; a coordinated and holistic structure for education, preventive health services, care navigation and primary care for low income/uninsured people (multiple years)
Reach Out and Read –start up funding for age- appropriate books for children coming to wellness visits
Giving Hope Foundation:
Providing financial assistance and support to cancer patients and their families.
Monticello Area Community Action Agency (MACAA):
Community Outreach – Emergency Services: direct client assistance for emergency rent and utility payments and other crisis intervention for low wage earning and low fixed income families in Nelson County (multiple years)
Project Discovery – workshops for NCHS seniors and their families on topics such as financial aid, study skills, SAT preparation, goal setting, college admission and college life; and scholarships for graduating seniors (multiple years)
Steps to Success: Financial Management – instruction for families on ways to improve their financial management
The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen:
Environmental Education Program – focused outreach for Nelson County students and teachers to help them understand the region’s natural and cultural heritage and funding for a “wish list” to provide supplies and equipment for teachers (multiple years)
Nelson County Habitat for Humanity:
Assistance for the procurement of a lot for house #23, which has been constructed through a collaboration with the Building Trades Program at Nelson County High School and will be finished on site by Nelson County Habitat for Humanity volunteers.
Nelson County High School:
Measure of Academic Progress Pilot Assessment – a universal math, reading and language arts screening program for incoming freshmen that will provide more complete data to help teachers determine where a student needs additional instruction.
Virginia College Advising Corps:
Support for the College Advisor placed at Nelson County High School to assist with college searches, college applications, SAT and ACT preparation, financial aid applications, scholarship searches and matriculation to post-secondary education (multiple years)
Wintergreen Adaptive Sports
Support to provide skiing and boating lessons and experiences to Nelson County adults (18 and older) with mental health issues who participate in Horizon House, operated by Region Ten (multiple years).
Blue Ridge Interfaith Ministry
One-time a year assistance with electricity or fuel bills to keep families warm in winter (multiple years)
Nelson Kid Care
Support to provide supplemental weekend food for Nelson County Public School children (K – 12) (multiple years)
Girls on the Run of Central Virginia
Support for program promoting physical health and self esteem for girls in Rockfish River Elementary School and Tye River Elementary School (multiple years)
QuickStart Tennis of Central Virginia
Equipment for Tye River and Rockfish River Elementary Schools
Rockfish Valley Community Center
Funding to help build an outdoor pavilion and funding to purchase tents for outdoor events and fundraisers
Millennium Group
Funding for a pavilion to shelter volunteers and for food distribution
Great Aspirations Scholarship Program
Support of financial aid advisor at Nelson County High School
Wintergreen Fire Department
Fire safety education in the local schools and for the purchase of smoke detectors
Georgia’s Healing House
Funding to help establish a facility for women who are recovering from substance abuse.
Shelter for Help in Emergency
Outreach services to victims of domestic violence in Nelson County
Jefferson Area Board for Aging
Expansion of volunteer program in Nelson County and in Nelson County Public Schools
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Central Virginia
Salary for the advocate manager in Nelson County (multiple years)
Rockfish Valley Foundation
Environmental education programs for local schools
