$79,400 Awarded to Local Nonprofit Organizations
The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region’s Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund is awarding $79,400 to eleven local nonprofits. The Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund concluded its twelfth annual large grant cycle this summer with awards to organizations that promote community youth opportunities, recreation and historic/cultural preservation.
The following organizations have received funding in support of their programs:
Dahlgren Heritage Foundation - $12,000
Dahlgren Heritage Foundation Museum, a 4th Generation Museum
Funding for this program will support The Dahlgren Heritage Foundation’s vision to become to a 4th generation museum that promotes active and meaningful citizenship, social responsibility, and engagement with complex science and technology issues while preserving the area's cultural and historical treasures. $12,000 will assist the museum with 700 hours of paid intern support, 100 hours of IT support, and funding for additional equipment/services needed to increase virtual capability and for interactive displays.
Fredericksburg Baptist Church - $2,000
Bell Preservation
Grant funding will be used to restore the original church bell to its full integrity and functionality. Originally installed in 1855, the bell has survived much in its 165 years including immense destruction during the Civil War. The bell contributes to the historicity that enhances the character of the community.
Fredericksburg Cemetery Company Inc. - $4,000
Professional Stone Restoration in the Fredericksburg Cemetery
This project will stabilize and restore 7 gravestones with the professional services of Mosko Cemetery Monument Services. Funds will be used for supplies, equipment and labor to repair the 7 stones that have been damaged over time. Mr. Mosko has volunteered to teach a 3-day class in general cemetery conservation practices in conjunction with the Preservation department at University of Mary Washington. The stones selected for stabilization and restoration include:
1. Maj. J. Harrison Kelly, 1821-1894. Editor of the Virginia Herald, member of the 1st and 2nd postwar Virginia State Legislatures.
2. James Parke Corbin, 1847-1904. Virginia Military Institute (class of 1867) and Washington & Lee grad; fought in the Battle of New Market as part of the VMI Battalion Infantry.
4. Olivia Braxton Bradford, 1897-1911. Daughter of Samuel S. Bradford, businessman, who built the (now gone) Bradford Building, corner William and Princess Anne Streets.
5. Laetitia Yeamans Smith, d. 1892. Aunt of John L. Marye.
6. Julia Bell Marriott, d. 1902. Kin to Marye, Ficklen, Conway, Stansbury
6. Jane Howison Beale, 1815-1882. Civil War Diarist.
7. James Magrath, 1827-1858. 1850 census lists him as a Printer. His father and father-in-law were Ship's Captains. One of our earliest graves.
Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank - $8,000
Kids on the Go Summer Feeding Program
This program provides any child (up to 18 years of age) access to one of the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank’s seven sites for a free nutritious meal. These sites are located in school zones where 50% or more of children are eligible for free/reduced meals. It is estimated that as many as 1 in 7 children in our district face food insecurity. This program is a critical way to feed children when school meals are no longer a reliable source of food for families. All participating sites will offer 10 grab-and-go meals per week for children to enjoy. No paperwork or proof of income is required to receive a free meal.
Friends of the Rappahannock - $6,000
River Stewardship through On Water Experiences
Funding for this project will help Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) purchase 18 sit-on-top kayaks, paddles, and PFDs. This additional equipment will help FOR reach more community members and develop stewardship for the Rappahannock River by exposing people of all ages to environmentally prudent and safe water recreation. FOR’s programs provides hundreds of students outdoor field experiences in tailored on-water programs, allowing our local youth to appreciate our local Rappahannock waterway through the pleasures of paddling.
Hinesight - $10,000
Hinesight Youth Mentorship Program
Hinesight’s goal is to raise the academic grade point average of students, develop healthy eating habits through garden education and build confidence through 1-on-1 mentoring. Funding for this program will support investments in technology including hotspot services to ensure internet connectivity and the development of a community garden to teach students about agriculture science, nutrition, healthy eating and food/environment issues.
Open Hand of Fredericksburg - $10,000
GRAD Jobs Program
This program offers paid employment, mentoring, job preparation workshops and life skills to at-risk youth. Open Hands empowers at-risk youth to work towards a successful life by staying in school, achieve sustainable employment and helps build character and career skills. Funding for this program will support intern salaries and supplies for job readiness workshops. The goal of this program is to recruit, support, train, pay, and place at-risk youth (ages 14-19) with local businesses and non-profit agencies and to build employer partnerships based on established trust and mutual understanding to help at-risk youth receive employment.
Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault - $10,000
Youth Outreach Program
Funding will assist employees and volunteers of RCASA present new student workshops to increase awareness and knowledge of sexual assault. These workshops will help educate youth on appropriate behaviors so students can develop healthy relationships as they age. RCASA will begin offering group youth counseling services for young survivors who wish to continue developing interpersonal skills, meet and connect with other survivors and to understand that they are not alone during their battle.
The Salvation Army of Fredericksburg VA - $5,000
Youth Music Program
This program offers exposure to the arts while providing a safe place for young people to gather and learn a new interest. Funding will support travel expenses to music camps, new equipment and administrative costs. The youth music program is the only program in our area that offers free music lessons, along with free transportation to/from the corps, and provides dinner for the students, any parents who accompany their child and the volunteers.
Spotsy Dog Park, Inc. - $2,400
Dog Park Recreational Development
Funding for this project will enhance the safety and user experiences for Spotsy Dog Park. Specifically, funding will support enhancements to human safety by adding a safety hand rail near the entrance, the installation of a waterline for two fountains and provide training materials and activities to dogs and owners.
Washington Heritage Museums - $10,000
Exterior Painting of St. James’ House, Home of James Mercer & Headquarters of Washington Heritage Museums
This project includes painting all exterior wood surfaces of the 1760s St. James’ House as well as its shed and garden gate. This structure is the historic home of James Mercer, who served as Mary Washington’s attorney. The building exhibits large sections of peeling paint exposing it to dangerous moisture damage. The St. James’ House serves dual purposes for Washington Heritage Museums: it houses the administrative offices and furthers its mission as a historic property, opening to the public for guided tours two weeks each year.
The foundation is thankful for the participation by its Donor Services Committee in advising and selecting these programs for funding.