NCCF members Jane Francis and Carole Saunders helped the Nelson County Garden Club kick off its spring season with a presentation at the club’s March 1 meeting. Jane (pictured) answered questions from the garden club members about NCCF’s mission to support education, health care, emergency aid, and other humanitarian needs addressed by local nonprofits. She explained how NCCF makes grants to qualifying nonprofits twice a year, and how donations to NCCF go a long way toward meeting diverse needs in the county.
NCCF’s Winter 2019 Grants Cycle Yields $76,000 to Support Nelson County Nonprofits
Support for first responder training, college prep for high school students, and medication assistance for persons struggling with high prescription costs are among the grants awarded this February by the Nelson County Community Fund.
Other NCCF Grant recipients for the Winter 2019 cycle are as follows:
- Blue Ridge Medical Center for its rural health outreach services, and medication assistance program
- The Monticello Area Community Action Agency for its rural outreach/emergency assistance program, and its “Project Discovery” college preparatory program for low income students
- Blue Ridge Interfaith Ministry for its utility assistance to needy families
- The Wintergreen Nature Foundation for its environmental and cultural education programs, and STEM-related teacher training
Big Crowds Yield a Big Donation From Nelson 151’s Christmas Fundraiser
Members of the Nelson 151 business coalition presented the Nelson County Community Fund with a check for $4,720 from the 9th annual “Twelve Days of Christmas on Nelson 151” fundraiser. Pictured in front of the Rockfish Valley Community Center are (L-R) Barbara Joynes (Valley Road Vineyards), Lindsay Dorrier (Bold Rock Hard Cider), Donna McCurdy, co-chair of NCCF/Nelson County Advisory Committee, Todd Rath (Blue Toad Hard Cider), Sarah Jane Stewart, co-chair of NCCF/Nelson County Advisory Committee, and Christine Riggleman (Silverback Distillery).
Bigger and better is one way to describe the 2018 Christmas season, which drew large and thirsty crowds to the wineries, breweries, distilleries, and other establishments that make up the Nelson 151 business coalition. The businesses shared their largess by designating a portion of their sales to the Nelson County Community Fund through the 9th annual “Twelve Days of Christmas on Nelson 151.” Nelson 151 business owners presented NCCF with a check for $4,720. The funds will go a long way toward making grants to nonprofits meeting the humanitarian needs of Nelson County residents. This year’s combined donation check was higher than last year’s donation, noted Nelson 151 president Lindsay Dorrier of Bold Rock Hard Cider. Larger crowds coming to the area to ski, and better publicity, were probable factors. “We are truly thankful for the enduring support of the businesses that make up the 151 coalition,” said NCCF/Nelson County Advisory Committee co-chair Sarah Jane Stewart. It’s all about neighbors helping neighbors.
In a continuing effort to raise the profile of NCCF in the community, advisory committee co-chair Donna McCurdy (pictured) and committee member Sue Klett spoke to the Massies Mill Ruritan Club at its February dinner meeting. For 68 years, the club has supported many community activities from the volunteer fire department, to the Future Farmers of America, to Nelson County Public Schools. The NCCF presentation met with a warm reception. Donna noted that the mission of the Ruritans somewhat overlaps with NCCF’s mission to address local humanitarian needs through grant-making to nonprofits serving the same constituents. She asked Ruritan members to consider ways in which the two organizations could collaborate on fund raising and serving Nelson residents, and to help NCCF get the word out on our grant-making efforts. For more information on the Ruritans, visit the Massies Mill Ruritan Club website or their Facebook page.
NCCF is Grateful for Nelson 151’s – “Twelve Days of Christmas”
In the holiday spirit of giving, 12 wineries, cideries, breweries, and distilleries that make up the Nelson 151 business coalition are pooling contributions for a collective donation in support of the Nelson County Community Fund. Dubbed the 9th annual “Twelve Days of Christmas on Nelson 151,” each business will donate a portion of proceeds collected on their chosen day of giving between Dec. 23, 2018, and Jan. 5, 2019. “We are delighted and grateful to be chosen as the recipient for this year’s donation challenge,” said NCCF co-chair Sarah Jane Stewart.
Stewart was also interviewed by CBS19-TV about this Nelson County small business collaborative fund-raising effort.
Funds raised will support NCCF’s grants to nonprofits addressing Nelson County’s most pressing humanitarian needs.
Here is the list of “giving days” for participating 151 businesses. For more information, visit www.nelson151.com.
- Dec.23: Afton Mountain Vineyards
- Dec. 24: Valley Road Vineyards
- Dec. 25: Nelson Co. Economic Development
- Dec. 26: Devils Backbone Brewing Company
- Dec. 27: Wild Wolf Brewing Company
- Dec. 28: Blue Mountain Brewery
- Dec. 29: Cardinal Point Brewery
- Dec. 30: Brewing Tree Beer Company
- Dec. 31: Bold Rock Hard Cider
- Jan. 1: Blue Toad Hard Cider
- Jan. 2: Veritas Vineyard & Winery
- Jan. 3: Hill Top Berry Farm
- Jan. 4: Flying Fox Vineyard
- Jan. 5: Silverback Distillery
Annual Be Thankful 5K
“Pie heads,” runners, and dogs alike sprung from the start of the “Be Thankful 5K” at Bold Rock Cidery the day after Thanksgiving. Proceeds from this annual event benefit NCCF.
More than 150 runners—and a few dogs—turned out for the post-Thanksgiving “Be Thankful 5K” race held again this year on Nov. 23 at Bold Rock Cidery in Nellysford, VA. The fastest runner in each age/gender group walked away with a prize and bragging rights, and yes—there was a prize for the fastest dog, too. The event was sponsored by Wintergreen Resort, Bold Rock Cider, and the Rockfish Valley Foundation. Net proceeds to the tune of $2,000 ($1,500 from the race and $500 from Bold Rock Cidery) went to the Nelson County Community Fund, where neighbors help neighbors in need.