April 18, 2023: 12 Nonprofits Win Grants (Apr. 18, 2023)

12 Nonprofits Win Grants

Representatives from 12 nonprofit grant recipients celebrate their 2023 awards with President-elect Jeff Wells (standing top left) and President Laurie Harrison (standing second from right).

The April 18, 2023 Rotary Club of Norfolk luncheon was an exceptionally happy one as representatives of a dozen area nonprofits were awarded $25,000 in grants from Norfolk Rotary Charities, the club's charitable affiliate. Billed as the Class of '23, the winning nonprofits were among 52 organizations that requested a total of $250,000 in funding.

President-elect Jeff Wells, who serves as president of Norfolk Rotary Charities, oversaw the grant selection process and let recipients know that each application was reviewed by at least three club members. Past President Michael Desplaines, who emceed the luncheon program and presented grant checks, reminded members and guests that grant funds are generated by club fundraisers such as the upcoming Suds & Buds party, meeting fines and happy bucks, and distributions from the club's endowment managed by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. Michael looks forward to generous club members helping double the amount of grants awarded in 2024.

Each nonprofit representative expressed in two minutes the essence of their organizations work and how the Rotary grant will make a difference. While all representatives gave inspiring talks that enlightened Rotarians and guests, it was Nyali Rivera from Special Olympics of Chesapeake who drew a standing ovation as she explained how Special Olympics gives her the opportunity to play soccer and be an ambassador for her organization.

Grant recipients honored at the meeting were:

Armed Forces YMCA, which provides childcare and other services for military families. The grant will support a program that helps military children gain coping skills and connect with other children whose parents also are deployed.
Barnett-Searing National Cancer Foundation, which provides comfort kits for people undergoing cancer treatment. The grant will pay for Smile Kits for area residents.
Circle A Home for Horses, which rescues slaughter-house bound horses and gives them new life as part of area programs helping children of all abilities gain confidence. The grant will support a summer camp program.
EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program, which connects up to 120 people a week with horses for therapy. Participants include children and adults with special abilities as well as veterans, first responders and military personnel. The grant will support the riding program.
Hope House Foundation, which provides homes and supportive services for area adults living with disabilities. The grant will help enhance services.
Maury High School PTA, which supports students at the oldest public high school in Virginia. The grant will provide toiletries, hygiene kits, clothing and other items needed to help Norfolk students experiencing homelessness stay in school and graduate.
Mercy Medical Angels, is based in the region and is the country's largest provider of free transportation for medical care. The grant will help Norfolk residents with gas cards, bus tickets or plane rides needed to get to treatments.
Sail Nauticus Foundation, provides sailing instructions for Norfolk residents. The grant will support a program for middle school students that teaches them swim and be safe in water and gain educational skills while also learning to sail boats.
Salvation Army Hampton Roads Area Command, provides an array of services for area residents. This grant will support the 19th Street Shelter in Norfolk as it provides meals, laundry facilities, transportation and housing for adults experiencing homelessness.
Special Olympics of Chesapeake, which provides year-round sports opportunities for area children and adults living with disabilities. The grant will help start a swimming program.
The UP Center, which has 21 programs to help area families with services that include mental health counseling, parenting education and support, youth mentoring, foster care and adoption, housing and financial counseling, and services for people with disabilities. The grant will help families with travel vouchers.
YELLOW, which operates the YellowHab school providing free education for Norfolk students from lower-income neighborhoods. The grant will support the educational program for grades 1 through 6.

The Meeting:

Guests included Gary Bonnewell and Hank Thompson, who have both applied for membership and incoming Area Governor Paul Peter from the Hampton Roads Club.
Rotarians Bob Archer and Gus Stuhlreyer are recuperating at home.
Sign up at the meeting or online for the April 25 8 a.m. networking coffee at Virginia Stage Company's Wells Theater.
Tickets are on sale now for the May 18 Suds & Buds Party at Norfolk Botanical Garden and slots are available for volunteers to sign up to help.
May 21 at 1 p.m. is the annual PolioPlus game at Harbor Park. Let President Laurie know if you want tickets.
Happy bucks and fines: Sigur Whitaker has a new Border collie puppy, Joe Massey was not thrilled about the clapping hands part of the "If You Are Happy" song Pam Tubbs had the club sing at the start of the meeting, Laurie Harrison is grateful for all the work done by the grant recipients honored at the meeting, Jeff Wells attended two Rotary Clubs in Florida and is happy to have helped induct his daughter into one of them as a new Rotarian. Past Norfolk club president Bryce Burton is her sponsor.
President Laurie thanked Rob Sult for stepping into the incoming Vocational Service board position.
In May, six club members will be part of an all-female Habitat for Humanity construction crew in honor of Rotary International President Jennifer Jones being RI's first female president. Helping build the Habitat house will be Rotarians Lorna Cochrane, Laurie Harrison, Lauren Kiger, Barbara Lifland, Barbara Lipskis and Tristan Warren.

12 Nonprofits Win Grants

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Suds & Buds Set for May 18