‘CHAIN OF CHECKS’ AWARDS $20,000 IN GRANTS
The Chain of Checks charitable fund at the Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley is
proud to announce that $20,000 in grants have been awarded to four local non-profits. $5,000 grants
were given to:
- Highland Food Pantry who will use the funds to purchase personal care items like shampoo, soap,
toothbrushes, and deodorant for their clients.
- F.R.E.E. Foundation of Northern Shenandoah Valley provides gently used rehabilitation equipment to
low-income adults with limited mobility. Grant funds will help purchase walkers, wheelchairs, bedside
commodes, transport chairs, shower chairs and other durable medical equipment.
- The Godfrey Miller Center will use the grant money to provide subsidized nutritious meals in a warm
and inviting setting to older adults in the Winchester area with limited financial resources.
- Timber Ridge School is a residential treatment center and serves adolescent males with behavioral and
mental health needs with a focus on empowering the students to become successful and responsible
citizens. The school’s athletic program is an important part of building positive relationships and
attitudes. The grant money will help rebuild the sports programs that were cancelled due to COVID.
Applications for the grants were submitted online through the Community Foundation NSV, and then
reviewed by the Foundation’s community-conscious selection committee.
The $20,000 campaign dollars were accumulated from a variety of sources:
- Chain of Checks corporate sponsors, Bill and Lois Reynolds
- Earnings from the Chain of Checks endowment overseen by the Community Foundation NSV
- Half the proceeds from opening night of Frederick County Parks and Rec’s ‘Winter Wonderland’
- A golf tournament at Rock Harbor in October
- Clarke County Community Band’s Christmas concerts in Berryville and Winchester
- Canisters at various businesses including Solenbeger’s Hardware and 14 Handy Mart Stores
- Beautiful on-line and mailed-in donations from individuals and businesses
Barry Lee, founder of the Chain of Checks said: “Once again, our citizens shared their hearts and wallets to make a difference in the lives of so many neighbors that need some help.”
Since its creation in 1986, Chain of Checks has raised $1,984,703 for local charities.
Applications for the 2024 Chain of Checks campaign will open through the Community Foundation of Northern Shenandoah Valley website in late spring at www.cfnsv.org
For more information contact the Community Foundation (email: director@CFNSV.org) and the Chain of Checks website, www.chainofchecks.com
The Chain of Checks campaign to support local non-profits was founded by Barry Lee in 1986. In 2013 the Community Foundation of Northern Shenandoah Valley became the campaign’s fiscal agent and helped create an endowment that will serve community charities forever.
Jenny Callis (green sweater), Executive Director of the Highland Food Pantry along with staff and volunteers, receives $5,000 Chain of Checks grant.
Kristin Span, Program Manager with the F.R.E.E. Foundation accepts a $5,000 check from the Chain of Checks campaign for mobility equipment.
The Godfrey Miller Center receives $5,000 for their ‘affordable meal program’ for seniors. Pictured left to right is, Anna Lehman (Program Coordinator), Yazmin Banks (cook), and Jason Gottschalk (Executive Director).
Derek Unger (CEO) and Juli Ferrell (CDO) of Timber Ridge School (residential treatment center) accept a $5,000 grant to help rebuild the sports program.
This donation link will take you to the Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley
website who will process your donation.
Your donation is tax deductible
Community Foundation of Northern Shenandoah Valley:
540-869-6776
Chain of Checks:
Barry Lee, 540-409-6929 (email-BreakfastWithBarryLee@gmail.com)
2023 CHAIN OF CHECKS PHOTO GALLERY
Ashley Ferguson with Frederick County Parks and Recreation presents a $5,063 check to the 2023 Chain of Checks campaign! The BIG beautiful gift was the traditional sharing of half the opening night proceeds from ‘Walking In A Winter Wonderland’ at Clearbrook Park.
Solenberger’s True Value Hardware store in Winchester hosted 2 canisters and gave customers the opportunity to round up their purchases in December to the tune of $1,500!
David Worthington, President of the Clarke County Community Band presents $1,155 to the Chain of Checks campaign from donations received at their Christmas concerts in Berryville and Winchester.
Rieman Claytor Royston of H.N. Funkhouser & Co. holds one of the 14 Chain of Checks canisters that Handy Mart stores displayed at their checkout counters. All those customer coins and cash added up to $776.18!
Jimmy Pence of the Family Drive-In Theater in Stephens City, presented $323 in quarters from the concession stand’s gum ball machine to the Chain of Checks campaign.
2023 Chain of Checks Campaign
Grant Recipients
The Chain of Checks charitable fund sponsored by the Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley is proud to announce that grants have been awarded to four local non-profits.
Highland Food Pantry ($3,250)
Due to the increases in the cost of food and hygiene items, the Pantry’s clients have less available income to purchase personal care items. Grant money will help the Pantry to purchase and supply their clients with toothpaste, deodorant, soap and shampoo.
F.R.E.E. Foundation of Northern Shenandoah Valley ($4,000)
This organization provides gently used rehabilitation equipment to qualifying low-income adults in the valley with limited mobility. The Chain of Checks grant would help purchase canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, transport chairs, bedside commodes, shower chairs and other durable medical equipment.
Godfrey Miller Center ($5,000)
Donated funds will help the Center to provide subsidized nutritious meals in a warm and inviting setting for older adults in the Winchester area with limited financial resources. They anticipate serving at least 2,400 meals to seniors in 2024.
Timber Ridge School ($5,000)
This residential treatment center serves adolescent males with behavioral and mental health needs with a focus on teaching and empowering the students to be successful, responsible citizens. The school’s athletic programs are an important part of building positive relationships, learning coping strategies and improved attitudes. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of interscholastic sports. The Chain of Checks grant will purchase equipment to rebuild the sports programs of football, soccer, basketball, wrestling and track.