The board of advisors of the Northern Albemarle Community Foundation announces 2012 awards of nearly $20,000 from its Community Fund, its Woman’s Fund, and the Elizabeth City Jaycees on behalf of the Judge Thomas Watts Fund, at a recent awards program held at Christ Episcopal Church, according to Kathryn Scott, board president.

            This year’s nonprofit recipients of grants from the Community Fund include:

• Food Bank of the Albemarle to help support the local Food Sourcing Program with area farmers and retailers to benefit local pantries.
• Foreshadow Academy, to help acquire science lab equipment and resources.
• Junior Adult & Children’s Enrichment, Inc. a grant to supplement the delivery of free breakfasts and lunches to children participating in area programs during the summer months. This program receives most of its funding from the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Denise Rodgers coordinates this program.
• National Council of Negro Women, Inc, received a grant to support the “Dreamers, Too” mentoring program for at risk girls, ages 7-12.

Lena Council, President of the NACF Woman’s Givers Group, presented several grants to area organizations as well:

• Albemarle Hopeline received a grant of $1,500 for Project CHANGE, an acronym for “Creating Healthy Attitudes and Nutritional Goals through Education.” This grant comes from the proceeds raised through the Power of The Purse event held in November.
• Girls Incorporated of the Albemarle, also received a grant from the Power of The Purse event proceeds, of $1,000 to support their Healthy Living program working with young girls. Denise Rodgers and several girls enrolled in the program attended the NACF awards.
• Chowan/Perquimans Smart Start Partnership received a grant to support their Basic Parent Training Program in Perquimans County.
• The Food Bank of the Albemarle also received a grant from the Woman’s Fund to support the local Food Source Program.
• The National Council of Negro Women received a grant in support of “Wear to a Better Future, “ a job preparation program to benefit women served through the woman’s  shelter.

Jan Willingham represented the Elizabeth City Jaycees and presented awards totally $12,000 to the following organizations:

• Albemarle Hopeline, $2,000 to support the Power to Improve program.
• Chowan/Perquimans Smart Start Partnership, a grant of $1,000 to support a new program, Reach Out and Read, to benefit young children.
• Food Bank of the Albemarle, $2000 for the Food Source Program.
• Girls Incorporated of the Albemarle, $2,000 for the Healthy Living program.
• Junior Adult and Children’s Enrichment, $1,500 to support the summer meals program.
• Foreshadow Academy, $2,000 to help them complete commercial Kitchen updates to better serve the growing school enrollment.
• National Council of Negro Women, $1,500 to support the Community Boutique project to benefit the women served through the area shelter.

Scott  thanked the community for support of the Northern Albemarle Community Foundation.  “These grants are important to our community and our quality of life,” she said.  “Critical programs would not be possible without the generosity of many individuals and organizations that have supported these funds. The beauty of working with the North Carolina Community Foundation is that anyone can contribute to any of our 18 local funds in any amount and with a greater variety of assets. These gifts can be made in honor or in memory of a loved one or someone special and the foundation takes care of all acknowledgements.”