Community Foundation distributes $130,000
Nonprofit and community leaders from throughout the Greenbrier Valley attended a special reception hosted by the Greater Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation (GVCF). At this event, GVCF disbursed 2014 annual reports and 2015 distribution checks to charitable organizations in Greenbrier, Monroe, and Pocahontas counties. Grants totaling over $130,000 were made to 40 different recipients including educational institutions, arts organizations, churches, and groups assisting the needy. These awards were made from earnings on funds administered by GVCF.
Notable among the awards was a distribution from the Moore Family Community Fund to assist the Meadow River Community Park. The Moore Family Community Fund was established to perpetuate the legacy of community involvement embraced by the Moore family. The Meadow River Community Park is located on Route 60 in Rainelle and hosts many programs including the popular “5th Quarter” events after football games for Greenbrier West High School students. Also noteworthy were grants to HospiceCare and the Greenbrier Humane Society from the First National Bank Fund, to area Snacks in Packs programs from the City National Bank Fund, to the Greenbrier Humane Society and Boys Home of Virginia from the Herkness Fund, to the White Sulphur Springs Public Library from the James H. Davis Fund as well as the Newcomers and Old Friends Club Fund, to art programs in the Greenbrier County Public Schools from the Mary B. Nickell Fund for Arts Education, and to the Greenbrier County Public Library and the Church of the Incarnation from the Theresa Thompson Education Fund.
The reception was held at Lewisburg Elks Club. Over 100 attendees sampled food, beer, and wine from Germany. The food was prepared by TLP of WV and included traditional dishes such as Slitzches (German noodles and potatoes), Cheddar and German Beer Fondue, apple and Bratwurst bites, Lebkuchen (honey bars), and Kinderpunsch (non -alcoholic punch, served warm). Paired with these tasty treats were wines supplied by the Country Vintner and selected by sommelier Banks Jesser. The room was decorated to herald in the spring with a large number of especially beautiful shrubs and flowering plants provided by Tally Ho Landscaping. These plants were then donated to HospiceCare, Children’s Home Society, Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity, the Greenbrier Committee on Aging, and the White Sulphur Springs Public Library for beautification projects.
In addition to financial information about GVCF, the foundation’s annual report includes a 2015 community calendar that identifies major events from all three counties in the Greenbrier Valley. Photographs for the calendar featured picturesque scenes of the area and were donated by local photographers Jeanne Brenneman, Lori Ann Butler, Margaret Hambrick, Greg Johnson, Ben Long, Connie Manchester, and Tina Hedrick. Connie Manchester’s photograph of Indian Creek graces the cover. Free copies are available to the public at GVCF’s office on the second floor of the City National Bank building at 109 S Jefferson Street, Lewisburg.
The Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation was incorporated in 1999. It is a collection of over 100 funds, each with a separate agreement, donors, and philanthropic purpose. When appropriate, each fund makes an annual grant to the community. For more information about GVCF or to learn how to establish a fund to benefit one or more of your favorite charities, contact Courtney Smith, executive director, at 304-645-5620 or info @gvfoundation.org.
GVCF board member Charles Sheets (left) presents the 2015 distribution from the Moore Family Community Fund to Fred Kellerman for the Meadow Bridge Youth Park.
GVCF board member Diane Browning presents the 2015 distribution from the Greenbrier Valley Chorale Fund to Chorale President Peggy Mackenzie and Director Barbara Lutz.
