Pictured L to R – Quincy Combs, Sterling Kump, Morgan Wagner, Kevin Molen, Jace Thompson, Gage Sherman, Madalyn Clayton, Seth Doman, Brianna Walker, Marissa Ward, Mckenna Crites, and Jaden Cullers

At its recent Donors & Scholars event at Moorefield High School, hosted and catered by Moorefield Hospitality Services, the Hardy County Community Foundation announced scholarship awards totaling $37,500.

Scholarships ranged from $200 Achievement Awards given in recognition of student accomplishments up to $2,500 for students planning to pursue or currently pursuing higher education. Recipients include:

Glen and Charlotte Bradfield Scholarship
Jace Thompson

Bill and Stella Halterman Crane Scholarship
Bradley Williamson

East Hardy Vo-Tech Training Scholarship
Seth Doman

Shelton Gay Scholarship
Jace Thompson

Oscar H. Bean, Bill Clark, Clarence “Hink” Fisher, and Tom Hawse II Scholarship
Kevin Molen (renewed scholarship)

Stanley and Naomi Moyer Scholarship
Megan Good

Phillip P. and Elda G. Painter Scholarship
Wade Hershberger
Grant Sherman

John and Alvina Chalmers Pappas Scholarship
Brianna Walker

John and Alvina Chalmers Pappas Achievement Award
Jordan McGee
Mason Wilkins

Lost River Pride Scholarship
Evie Groves

Rissler Sisters Scholarship
Quincy Combs

Wardensville Area Scholarship
Megan Good
Wade Hershberger
Bryce Miller
Jace Thompson
Brianna Walker

Vernon and Myrtle Webster Scholarship
Quincy Combs

Kaylee Grace Whetzel Scholarship
McKenna Crites

Bob and Betty Wilson Family Scholarship
Jaden Cullers
Morgan Wagner
Madalynn Clayton (renewed scholarship)
Sydney Hardy (renewed scholarship)
Victoria Humphries (renewed scholarship)
Sterling Kump (renewed scholarship)
Marissa Ward (renewed scholarship)

In addition to awarding scholarships from our endowed funds, students who attended the event or who had R.S.V.P.’d were entered in a drawing to receive a $250 bonus scholarship. Kevin Molen and McKenna Crites were randomly selected to receive these awards.

We are grateful to the donors who have placed their trust in the community foundation and have given us the privilege of serving as a steward for their charitable gifts and intentions, and we are honored to recognize and support the accomplishments and educational pursuits of our scholarship recipients.

Scholarship Recipients L to R: Ralph Wojtowicz, Case Cartwright, Jordan Gray, Carlina Sardo, Taylor Treadway, Evie Groves, Jocelyn Hartman (recipients Vanessa Hicks and Milleny Cotto-Santos were unable to attend).

The Hampshire County Community Foundation celebrated donors and this year’s grant and scholarship recipients at a reception on May 14^th at the South Branch Inn.

Grants and scholarships totaled just over $35,000, and were made possible through distributions from fourteen individually named endowment funds and other gifts from generous corporate and individual donors.

“We appreciate the trust you have placed in the community foundation and the privilege you have given us to serve as a steward for your charitable gifts and intentions”, said Michael Cheshire, a HCCF board member when thanking the foundation’s donors. “Whether contributing to an existing fund, creating your own fund, or making provisions for charitable giving, we are honored to be a conduit for your philanthropy.”

He went on to announce grants awarded earlier this year, noting the foundation’s unique opportunity to learn about the many different organizations throughout the county doing extraordinary work. He said, “Our county is blessed to have so many diverse organizations with dedicated staff and volunteers working to make our lives and the lives of our neighbors better or more enriched.”

A few of the foundation’s grantees were showcased at the event. Misty Stambler, the director for Hampshire County Pathways spoke about their Music and Sound Therapy program and a new partnership with The Cat and the Fiddle in Capon Bridge, which will help broaden the original scope of the program. Anna Poland, the Hampshire County Public Library director, spoke about the many different programs offered by the library, including a food and hygiene pantry. Kristie Long, Health Sciences Education teacher at Hampshire High School spoke about her vision for high quality health care in our community and how the Health Sciences program and HOSA can help inspire and prepare Hampshire County youth to be a part of that vision. The Hampshire County Youth Football Cheer Squad coach, Amy Delaplain described the explosive growth of this new youth football league and the recent addition of cheer squads, which are expected to grow just as fast.

After hearing about grants, HCCF board member Emily Milleson and Susan Caperton, the new executive director for the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (HCCF’s lead foundation), presented scholarship awards describing them as “expression of hope and encouragement for each recipient.”

Scholarship awards went to Ralph Wojtowicz (Deborah, Leslie, and Christopher Bright Scholarship), Milleny Cotto-Santos (David A. “Hawk” Hawkens Scholarship), Jordan Gray (R.L. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship), Evie Groves (Lost River Pride Scholarship), Vanessa Hicks (Rae Ellen Scanlon McKee Scholarship), Jocelyn Hartman (Wanda McCulley Scholarship), Carlina Sardo (Wilda Michael Memorial Scholarship), Case Cartwright and Taylor Treadway (Joy Tutwiler Snyder Memorial Scholarship), Jocelyn Hartman and Taylor Treadway (Rissler Sisters Scholarship).

The program ended with a raffle led by Susan Caperton and Paula Tingler which gave guests the opportunity to be a grant maker and award a bonus $500 grant to a 2024 grantee. Winner Kiersten King selected Hampshire High School HOSA (pictured with HHS Health Science Education teacher Kristie Long), Ralph Wojtowicz, Sr. selected Hampshire County Committee on Aging, and Jordan Gray selected Children’s Home Society.

HCCF Director, Amy Pancake wrapped up with an additional thanks to the foundation’s corporate sponsors and to the Hampshire High School Pro-Start program for the excellent catering services provided by Kiersten King, Carlina Sardo, and Alyssa Combs (pictured) under the direction of HHS Pro Start teacher, Ann Nesbit.

 

 

Special thanks to Tina and Sarah Ladd for the pictures!

A scholarship fund isn’t the only way to achieve your charitable goals for funding education. Learn about how the community foundation can help you pursue areas of interest that support education in creative ways. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover the variety of options.

It’s graduation season, and that means education may be on your mind! The community foundation can help you make a difference in the lives of young people by funding education. Certainly, establishing a scholarship fund at the community foundation is one way to accomplish this goal. But that’s not the only way. Here are three ideas to consider as you explore ways to make an impact through education.

Establish a designated fund for educational institutions.

A designated fund provides support for specific organizations of your choice. So, for example, if you want to ensure that a particular college or university receives funding each year, you can set up a designated fund to accomplish this. For instance, if your family has supported the same local college for generations, you may want that support to continue. At the same time, you want to be sure that your funds are used effectively. This includes protecting your monetary support from the college’s creditors if the college finds itself in financial trouble. A designated fund at the community foundation could be the solution.

Establish a field-of-interest fund to support specific aspects of education.

Through a field-of-interest fund at the community foundation, you can establish parameters for grant making according to your wishes. If education is your priority, perhaps over the years you’ve supported a variety of local organizations that provide students with courses, tutoring, mentorship, and social services, ranging from grassroots charities to well-established trade schools and higher education institutions. Establishing a field-of-interest fund activates the community foundation’s expertise and research by delegating grant making decisions to the community foundation team. This helps donors like you ensure that their dollars will have the greatest impact.

Seek the advice of the community foundation for your donor-advised fund grant making.

If you have established a donor-advised fund at the community foundation, you’ve likely used it over the years to support your alma mater and perhaps other educational institutions. The community foundation team would welcome the opportunity to help you think broadly about education, beyond simply four-year institutions. Community colleges, trade schools, vocational programs, and out-of-the-box learning experiences may be a better fit for some students. The community foundation can also help you identify charities that support teachers, classrooms, and school districts, all of which need resources to deliver the best possible education to students.

We look forward to helping you support education as a major area of charitable interest! And if there’s a graduation in your family this year, congratulations!

The Hampshire County Public Library (HCPL) received a grant to purchase supplies for the library’s outdoor food pantry program. HCPL Director, Anna Poland receives a grant check from HCCF Board Member Paula Tingler.

The Hampshire County Community Foundation recently awarded 19 grants totaling over $24,000 to support a wide variety of local organizations and programs.

“Grants were awarded through our annual Winter/Spring Grants Program, which is competitive process”, said Amy Pancake, the Foundation’s director. “Grant seekers submitted a simple on-line application and then our grants committee reviewed the grants and made funding recommendations,” she added.

According to Pancake, the grants were made possible thanks to gifts from generous donors who established or contributed to the William Brady and Jean Taylor Rannells Fund, the Bill and Fran Wylie Education Competition Fund, the J. Holland & Anita Rannells and Gorda & Mona Saville Fund, the Erin Michele Pancake Memorial Fund, and the Hampshire County Community Impact Fund.

“Typically, we limit the amount an applicant can request to $1,000. Thanks to some last-minute gifts, however, the committee was able to award additional funding to some of the organizations providing youth, health, and human welfare services”, Pancake said.

HCCF Board Member Roy Knight presents Sherri Unger, Case Manager for Catholic Charities of WV with a grant to support their emergency assistance program.

Health and Human Services grants totaled $7,000 and will support programs offered through Catholic Charities, Hampshire County Library Association, Hampshire County Pathways, Romney Food Pantry, and Hampshire County Committee on Aging.

The Romney Food Pantry received a grant to purchase food to help meet the increasing need. Picture above (L-R) HCCF Board Members, Dave Waugerman and Roy Knight and Richard Gray, director of  the Romney Food Pantry.

Over $6,000 was awarded to organizations serving youth, including Children’s Home Society, Christ Community Church, Girls on the Run of the Shenandoah Valley, Hampshire County 4-H Leaders, Hampshire County Youth Football, and the WVU Foundation.

HCCF Board Member Paula Tingler presents a grant to Hampshire County Youth Football volunteer, Travis Delaplain for support the leagues growth and sustainability.

Arts, Culture, Conservation and Preservation grants totaling $4,000 were awarded to the Fort Edwards Foundation, the Hampshire County Arts Council, and The River House.

Capon Bridge Elementary School, EACHS Head Start, and Hampshire High School Health Sciences received $2,750 in education-based grants.

Finally, Cacapon TNR was awarded a $2,000 for its work address the county’s feral cat problem, which is both an animal and human welfare concern.

 “We received many exceptional applications,” Pancake said. “We are so pleased and thankful to be able to support a diversity of organizations that are doing such impactful work in our community. Our grants connect our donors and nonprofits around a common desire to build a stronger community and we are privileged to see this each time we award one”, she added.

Funding availability announcements for the Foundation’s spring grants program are made via email and organizations are encouraged to send an email to [email protected] or call the office at 304-822-7200 to request to be added to the mailing list. Applications are typically posted on the foundation’s website https://www.ewvcf.org/grants-scholarships-hampshire/ in early February.

The Hampshire County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, is a charitable organization committed to providing people who care about the future of our area with unique and effective ways of supporting their community now, and for generations to come. Community foundations number more than 800 across America with 25 in West Virginia and focus entirely on working with local individuals to build local assets to meet local needs.

The Hardy County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded sixteen grants totaling $15,750 to support local organizations and programs. These grants represent distributions from eight endowment funds held by the Community Foundation.  Grants include:

• Burlington United Methodist Family Services – $1,000 Parents as Teachers Group Connections
• Catholic Charities of WV – $1,000 Emergency Assistance
• Children’s Home Society – $1,000 Recruiting Forever Families
• Eastern Regional Family Resource Network – $1,000 Celebrate the Family programs
• Hardy County 4-H Leaders Association – $1,000 Spring/Summer/Fall STEM Programs
• Hardy County Health and Wellness Center – $1,000 Everyone Swims
• Lost River Educational Foundation – $1,000 The Three C’s: Community, Culture, Creativity
• Lost River Projects – $1000 Music in the Park
• Lost River Trails Coalition – $1,000 Student Athlete Scholarships
• Moorefield High School – $1,000 MHS Jackbots Robotics Team
• Moorefield Middle School – $1,000 MMS/MIS Robotics
• Mountain Heritage Trails, Inc. – $1,000 Restored Humanity: African American Burial Sites of Hardy County
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburg and Morgantown – $750 Make a House a Home project
• Town of Wardensville – $1,000 Movement Matters – Disc Golf Course
• Wardensville Lions Club – $1,000 Story Time

“Grants were awarded through our annual Winter/Spring Grants Program, which is a competitive process”, said Amy Pancake, the Foundation’s director. “Grant seekers submitted a simple on-line application and then our grants committee reviewed the grants and made funding recommendations,” she added.

            According to Pancake, the grants were made possible thanks to gifts from generous donors who established or contribute to the Hardy County Community Impact Fund, the Deanna Wilson & J Cavanagh STEM Fund, the Elizabeth “Betty” Pancake Williams Youth Development, Education and 4-H Fund, John R. and Agnes J. Mathias Fund, Renick Cunningham Williams Community & Business Development, and William “Bill” Sloan and Family Community Giving Fund.

            According to Amy Pancake, the Foundation’s Director, funding requests remain steady. “We received many exceptional applications, including requests from new applicants,” she said. “We are so pleased and thankful to be able to support a diversity of organizations that are doing such impactful work in our community. Our grants connect our donors and nonprofits around a common desire to build a stronger community and we are privileged to see this each time we award one”, she added.