The Anne Felder Fund - Award Recipients

Ainsley’s Angels of America – Fredericksburg Ambassadorship and Cooking Autism, Inc. are the recipients of more than $11,000 in from The Ann Felder Fund at The Community Foundation. The purpose of this fund is to support the needs and to enrich the lives of intellectually disabled people in the Foundation’s region. The fund also addresses the needs of disadvantaged or homeless people who are affected by disability or mental illness. The fund looks to ideals such as equity, inclusivity, dignity, and self-determination as guiding principles for grant making.

Cooking Autism, Inc. is awarded $9,050 to support their Honoring Autism and Neuro-Diverse Services (HANDS) program. This program engages special needs children and young adults in our community in a series of educational cooking classes that help improve important life-skills including fine motor, communication, and nutrition. Each week, participants learn to garden then use their new skills to cook nutritious and fun food. This program is a fun way to get outdoors, teach life-skills, practice healthy habits, and gain self-confidence and independence. To learn more about Cooking Autism, Inc. visit their website at www.cookingautism.org.

Ainsley’s Angels of America – Fredericksburg Ambassadorship is awarded $2,065 to support the purchase of a Walking Bike. This mobility device not only has practical applications, it is also a vehicle for inclusivity. This device helps users participate in activities and achieve their goals. At a time when so many are isolated, due to the pandemic, the walking bike will give members of our special needs community the ability to take part in safe events on their own terms. To learn more about Ainsley’s Angels, visit www.ainsleysangels.org.