In May 2024, the Culpeper Wellness Foundation awarded $120,000 in Healthy Living Grants to 16 organizations proposing health and wellness projects within the Foundation’s service area of Culpeper, Madison and Orange counties.
The 2024 grant recipients & their programs include:
Aging Together, $5,000 – Conference focused on Alzheimer’s research, treatment and strategies for care of persons living with dementia.
Blue and Red Santa Project, $7,500 – Provision of school supplies, clothing and personal hygiene products to economically challenged Culpeper County residents of all ages.
Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia, $10,000 – Implementation of Triple Play: A Game Plan for Mind, Body & Soul, a research-based program offering physical activities, games, cooking and nutrition, sports and programs that promote social and emotional wellness for youth in Madison and Orange counties.
Bridge Ministry, $5,000 – Purchase of laptops to increase access to behavioral and mental health classes, professional certification classes, college-level courses and more for individuals transitioning from addiction or incarceration.
Carver Food Enterprise Center, $10,000 – Feeding 500 food preparation program supporting food rescue organizations (free clinics, food pantries & banks) in tandem with nutrition, food safety, and culinary skills education for food preparation students.
Community Development Redistribution (CDR) Resource Center, $7,500 – Provision of personal hygiene, household & school supplies, as well as holiday gifts, for Culpeper, Madison and Orange County residents in need.
Culpeper County Public Schools, $10,000 – Integration of curriculum focusing on healthy relationship building into middle and high school student health classes.
Culpeper Food Closet, $5,000 – Distribution of healthy snacks in summer for families without access to school meal programs.
Culpeper Mid-Day Lions Club, $10,000 – Procurement of digital screening equipment for hearing evaluations and hearing aids for community members in need.
Culpeper Presbyterian Church, $10,000 – Inclusion of fresh fruits and vegetables and hygiene items in Manna Ministry’s take-home service for community members in need.
Hospice of the Piedmont, $7,500 – Grief and healing program for bereaved children ages 4-18.
Generations Central Adult Day Center, $6,900 – Expansion of program focused on promoting and maintaining cognitive health for senior adults.
Madison Learning Center, $2026 – Weekly music and movement class supporting social, emotional, cognitive and physical development for children from infancy to school age served by the center.
Orange County Free Clinic, $10,000 – Mental health counseling services for patients.
Reva Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, Inc., $8,800 – Purchase of emergency response equipment: LIFEPAK 1000 automatic external defibrillator and compact suction unit.
Young Lives, $5,000 – 8-month weekly initiative to support teen mothers with nutrition education, cooking, budgeting, and healthy choices.
Foundation president Shari Landry said, “The grant proposals represented a broad spectrum of needs ― some new, some continuing ― within the three counties in our service area. Our grants review committee thoughtfully considers every application, and these applications always convey such commitment to addressing the needs of our communities. We are very fortunate to have so many organizations focused on health and wellness needs for all ages. ”
The Culpeper Wellness Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, invests its time and resources in community initiatives that improve health and wellness in Culpeper, Madison and Orange counties. The Foundation operates the Free Clinic of Culpeper, the Piedmont Regional Dental Clinic, PATH Recreation & Fitness Center, and Powell Wellness Center, one of only two fitness centers in Virginia certified by the Medical Fitness Association as a medically integrated facility. culpeperwellnessfoundation.org