Northern Albemarle Community Foundation recently hosted the annual awards program on behalf of three grantmaking funds, the NACF Community Fund, the NACF Woman Givers Fund and the Judge Thomas Watts Fund established by the Jaycees.

            Kathryn Scott, president, welcomed everyone to the program held at Christ Episcopal Church and presented the following grants on behalf of the Northern Albemarle Community Fund:

            Food Bank of the Albemarle grant of $600 to continue and expand the local Food Sourcing Program with area farmers and retailers to benefit local pantries. Liz Reasoner, executive director, accepted the award and provided additional details and updates about the success of this program.

            The American Red Cross chapter for Eastern NC was awarded a grant of $1,000 to support the emergency relief services they provide to families following a fire or emergency. Carolyn Self accepted the award and spoke about the readiness of the Red Cross to support the community.

            Albemarle Hopeline was awarded a grant of $500 to continue the program to benefit women who have been abused as they seek skills and services to help them return to a healthy and productive life. Patricia Youngblood, executive director, accepted the grant and addressed the increase in services and needs for this program.

            Lastly, Girls Inc. received a grant of $200 to continue to provide the program for young girls, Healthy Living. Denise Rodgers, executive director, and several girls accepted the award and the girls expressed appreciation for this program.

            Peggy Birkemeier, NCCF senior regional associate, presented a total of nine awards for a combined total of $13,000, on behalf of the Elizabeth City Jaycees to the following organizations and for specific program services as each requested:

• Albemarle Hopeline, $2,000 to continue the Power to Improve program.
• Food Bank of the Albemarle, $1000 for the Food Source Program.
• Girls Incorporated of the Albemarle, $2,000 for the Healthy Living program.
• Junior Adult and Children’s Enrichment, $2,500 to support the summer meals program.
• Foreshadow Academy, $1,500 to update printing equipment.
• National Council of Negro Women, $1,000 to help with a new business startup program for women.
• The Tidewater Boy Scout Council was awarded a grant of $1,000 to provide Day Camp opportunities to boys from the EC Housing Authority.
• The Museum of the Albemarle received a grant of $1,000 for the Christmas Open House Program to be held in December.
• The Mane & Tail Therapeutic Horsemanship Academy received a grant of $1,000 to train and expand their program to the Camden and Pasquotank area. This program has been very helpful to children and adults with disabilities and started services in Currituck and Dare Counties a few years ago.

            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.  “Our grant focus is still to support the critical programs and services provided by local community organizations and 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.”

            The Northern Albemarle Community Foundation is an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation, serving the counties of Camden, Gates, Pasquotank and Perquimans. Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the Northern Albemarle Community Fund, which is administered by the NCCF. Contributions should be made payable to the Northern Albemarle Community Fund and mailed to the North Carolina Community Foundation, Northeast Region, The Harbinger Center Suite 4, Point Harbor, NC 27964. Contributions can also be made online.

            For information on the Northern Albemarle Community Foundation and its community fund, contact Scott at 435-8602; or Peggy Birkemeier, regional associate, at 252-491-8166; or visit the NCCF website at www.nccommunityfoundation.org and click on “Affiliates.”