Frances Abbot Burton Powers Fund Accepting Grant Applications

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-Press Release, North Carolina Community Foundation

The Frances Abbot Burton Powers Fund for support of the Town of Henderson will be accepting grant applications for its 2018 grants cycle, according to Preston Powers.

The endowment will make grant funds available for government entities and nonprofit organizations that benefit the Town of Henderson and have a physical location in Henderson. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $15,000.

A board of advisors will determine grant awards. Applications are available online at nccommunityfoundation.org/vance and will be accepted June 15 – July 13. All organizations will be notified by mid-August.

For further information, contact NCCF Regional Director Quinn Novels at qnovels@nccommunityfoundation.org or 919-256-6914 or visit the NCCF website at nccommunityfoundation.org.

About the Vance County Community Foundation

The Vance County Community Foundation is a growing family of philanthropic funds, resource for area nonprofits, source of grants for local causes and partner for donors. The VCCF is led by a local volunteer advisory board that helps build community assets through the creation of permanent endowments, makes grants and leverages leadership—all for the benefit of Vance County. Whatever your means or charitable goals, the VCCF makes it easy to become a philanthropist. The VCCF was founded in 1997 and is an affiliate foundation of the North Carolina Community Foundation. Board members include Fagan Goodwin (president), Anthony Adams (secretary), Sarah Webster (grants chair), Sarah Baskerville, Kay Curin, Wendy Meyer-Goodwin, Terri Hedrick and Amy Russell.

For further information, contact NCCF Regional Director Quinn Novels at 919-256-6914 or qnovels@nccommunityfoundation.org or visit the NCCF website at nccommunityfoundation.org.

About the North Carolina Community Foundation

The NCCF is the single statewide community foundation serving North Carolina and has administered more than $130 million in grants since its inception in 1988. With nearly $247 million in assets, NCCF sustains 1,200 endowments established to provide long-term support of a broad range of community needs, nonprofit organizations, institutions and scholarships. The NCCF partners with a network of affiliate foundations to provide local resource allocation and community assistance across the state. An important component of NCCF’s mission is to ensure that rural philanthropy has a voice at local, regional and national levels.

For more information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @NCCF.

Medical Arts & Mako Labs to Hold Ice Cream Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis

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-Information courtesy Cara Kirby, Medical Arts Pharmacy

Medical Arts Pharmacy and Mako Medical Laboratories are partnering to raise awareness and funds to cure Cystic Fibrosis.

Join them this Friday, June 15, 2018, from 12 to 3 p.m. for an Ice Cream Fundraiser at Medical Arts Pharmacy, 253 Ruin Creek Road, Henderson.

Ice cream provided by FRESH. Local Ice Cream.

All proceeds go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Granville Vance Public Health Releases 2017 Report

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Granville Vance Public Health (GVPH), a provider of public health services related to communicable diseases, primary care, maternal health, child health and family planning, recently released their annual report for 2017.

According to the report, GVPH’s status as a health district allows greater flexibility to procure grant-based funding; however, overall state and federal funding has decreased in recent years. The agency has “worked hard to partner with local, state, and federal entities that can support and expand community health efforts in Granville and Vance counties.”

During the July 2016 – June 2017 fiscal year, GVPH managed over $2,500,000 in grant-funded projects. These funds helped support valuable community-based projects in both counties while also maintaining critical staffing. These grant dollars help ensure that evidence-based care and health promotion practices extend into rural communities in Granville and Vance counties.

GVPH reported $5,984,265 in revenues and $6,072,389 in expenses for fiscal year 2017, an increase of $683,672 and $103,848, respectively, from fiscal year 2016.

A major undertaking for 2017, GVPH was subject to the North Carolina Local Health Department Reaccreditation process and was recognized as an accredited health department with honors. Local health departments receiving the honors designation excelled in their accreditation assessment, missing one or fewer within each of the five standards set by the accreditation program, a total of 147 activities.

The next reaccreditation assessment for GVPH will occur in the fall of 2021.

Notable statistics from the January 1 – December 31, 2017 reporting term include:

  • 4,529 unique patients seen for 9,743 individual clinical care visits
  • 1,914 uninsured patients totaling 3,705 clinical care visits
  • 1,636 patients rely on Medicaid for medical care received during 3,037 Medicaid clinical care visits
  • 3,994 immunizations given to 2,409 individuals
  • 1,989 immunizations were given to 720 children and adolescents under 18 years of age
  • 1,799 flu vaccines provided
  • 2,408 WIC participants served
  • Child Health Program conducted 1,034 visits for 715 children
  • 12 CenteringPregnancy® groups conducted in 2017 with 109 women participating

In a letter recently sent to healthcare professionals and other parties, Lindsey Bickers Bock, health education supervisor for GVPH, stated “In our role providing safety net services for vulnerable populations, GVPH sees the clear impact of social determinants of health and the necessity of protecting and promoting health by facilitating policy, system and environmental changes to prevent disease, address health equity issues and improve population health.

For more information on the services offered by GVPH, visit their website at www.gvph.org. To view more detailed information on the 2017 report, specifically, click here.

Rebuilding Hope, Inc. to Participate in Servants on Site Event

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-Information courtesy Don Dunlin and the monthly Rebuilding Hope, Inc. Newsletter

Servants on Site Event – June 23 – 30, 2018

Participants in this year’s Servants on Site (SOS) will repair 12 roofs and build six wheelchair ramps. The June 23-30 event will be our sixth annual week of witnessing and sharing Christ and serving people in need in our communities.

As the May 1 deadline for registering passed, 153 participants had signed up.

Project Coordination

Leigh Humphries is once again project coordinator, a job she’s had since the first SOS week in 2013.

Leigh, who lives in Person County, has sorted through the registrants and organized the crews according to the types of jobs scheduled. Before the work begins, she will assign encouragers for the crews at the work sites, which she visits during the week.

Leigh’s duties continue once the day’s work is done as she helps chaperone the youth overnight at Crossroads Christian School.

“It’s a big job and a huge responsibility,” says Leigh, a member of Theresa Baptist Church.

“This time of year I get a little anxious,” she said, “but when the kids get here there’s a lot of joy.”

Materials Coordination

Without a steady supply of materials, the jobs would not be completed. And that’s where Walt Slaton, a member of Central Baptist Church, comes in as materials coordinator.

With a worksheet describing each job, Walt assembles shingles, tar paper, lumber, nails, bolts, nuts, washers, tools, compressors, hoses and more the week before SOS. Materials are on-hand, donated or purchased locally. Where possible, materials are delivered to sites before the work week begins.

Throughout the week, Walt says he has runners ready at the RHI warehouse to resupply workers through a chain that begins with a job’s crew chief who notifies a multisite supervisor. The supervisor notifies Walt who dispatches a runner.

Destination SOS

In addition to participants from Vance, Granville, Warren and neighboring counties, teams will be coming from a number of communities, such as Roxboro, Windy Gap and Otto, reports Martha McGowan, SOS secretary and a member of West End Baptist Church.

And it’s also Destination SOS for teams from Alabama and South Carolina.

Breakfast and Supper

Breakfast and supper are served at Central Baptist Church, beginning with Sunday breakfast before the work week begins.

Central Baptist member Roger Bibee does most of the cooking.

Supplies, Roger says, include 4-5 cases of liquid eggs, 300 chicken quarters, 10 gallons of spaghetti sauce and noodles, 40-45 pounds of bacon, sausage, hash browns and more. Supper includes a full salad bar. A team of six helps with serving and cleaning up.

Lunches

Fifteen churches will provide lunches for the teams at the work sites. The churches are Fuller’s Chapel, Gardner Baptist Church, First Baptist Church (Creedmoor), West End Baptist Church, Raleigh Road Baptist Church, Liberty Christian Church, New Bethel Baptist Church, New Life Baptist Church (Henderson), North Henderson Baptist Church, New Sandy Creek Baptist Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Carey Baptist Church, Oxford Baptist Church, Island Creek Baptist Church, and Norlina Baptist Church.

Week’s Theme is “Fixed”

The theme for the week this year is “Fixed.” The meaning of the theme will be explained by guest speakers at each of the evening worship services during the week.

The services and their emphases will be: Sunday, “Need Fixing,” based on Romans 3:9-18; Monday, “Can Be Fixed,” based on Romans 1:16; Tuesday, “All Eyes Fixed on Jesus,” a panel discussion; Thursday, “God’s Plan is Fixed,” based on Matthew 28; Friday, “God is Fixing a Place – Eternity,” based on John 14:1-11. On Wednesday afternoon, participants have free time.

The public is encouraged to attend the worship services at 7 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, except Wednesday night.

Needs for SOS

Volunteers – Adult/college-age volunteers are needed to serve as staff during the week. Staff assists with setting up the rooms, posting signs and schedules and for chores such as cleaning bath and restroom facilities.

Financial Support for SOS Projects

A roofing project costs approximately $2,000, but any amount is appreciated. A church sponsoring a project will “adopt” the crew for the week and serve lunch each day. Your crew will attend your church for worship and lunch on Sunday and meet your congregation. Afterward, the crew will visit the homeowner.

How to Bring a Group to Rebuilding Hope, Inc.

RHI has a number of volunteer opportunities throughout the year and will work with you or your group (youth or adult) to not only meet the needs of homeowners but also to meet the needs of your group in its effort to put its faith into action serving others.

We provide job locations and materials for hands-on experience and will arrange for one-day projects or projects for more than one day. Overnight accommodations can be arranged. E-mail us at rwilson@rebuildinghopeinc.org or call 252-438-5132 for more information or registration.

Please visit Rebuilding Hope’s website at www.rebuildinghopeinc.org for additional information on the organization and the upcoming SOS event.

 

West End Baptist

West End Community Watch Meeting, Tues., June 19

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-Information courtesy Claire Catherwood, West End Community Watch

The West End Community Watch will meet on Tuesday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. at West End Baptist Church, 619 Dabney Dr., Henderson.

The speaker will be a representative from the Henderson Fire Department. Law Enforcement will be present to make reports and to hear citizens’ comments.

The West End Community Watch group will not meet in July.

North Henderson Baptist to Hold BBQ Plate Sale for Relay

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-Information courtesy Catherine Abbott, North Henderson Baptist Church/Relay for Life Team

The North Henderson Baptist Church Relay for Life Team will hold a BBQ Sale this Saturday, June 16, 2018. Eat-in or take-out.

BBQ Plates include BBQ, boiled potatoes, string beans, dessert and a drink for $7. Sandwich plates include a sandwich, potato chips, dessert and a drink for $6. Hotdog plates include a hotdog, potato chips, dessert and a drink for $5

Plates will be available at the church, 1211 N. Garnett St. in Henderson, on Saturday from 11 a.m. until sold out.

All proceeds go to Relay for Life/American Cancer Society.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Vance County NC

Filing Underway for Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor

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-Information courtesy Faye Gill, Director, Vance County Board of Elections

Filing for Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor is from now until Friday, July 6, 2018, at 12:00 noon. The filing fee is $5.00.

The Board of Elections will be opened during lunch for filing. We will be closed on Wednesday, July 4th. Should you have any questions about filing, contact the Board of Elections at 252-492-3730.

Vance County NC

Vance County Denies Approx. $540,000 in Requested Funds

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In voting upon the final budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year, the Vance County Board of Commissioners denied requests of approximately $540,000 more than available funding; equivalent to a 2.1 cent tax increase.

County Manager Jordan McMillen noted that nearly all of the departments or entities on the unfunded list still received some funding from the County, “We may not have been able to fund their requests for increased funding or expansion requests, but by providing any amount of funding the County is fully committed to these organizations and their causes in helping our citizens.”

McMillen said funding all requests from all departments and organizations always proves a challenge, “There is never a year where we can fund everything from every organization and this year was no different. Our board is committed to keeping taxes low and again this year kept the general fund tax rate level and also kept water rates the same. Although we were unable to provide all requests, the county continues our commitment to improving the quality of life for our citizens and we are excited with the way the upcoming budget accomplishes this.”

Notable Unfunded Requests include:

 Vance County Schools – requested increase of $27,482 to current expense to account for loss of revenue due to net growth of Vance County students in area charter schools. Recommended budget includes level funding of current expense and teacher supplements and provides CIP funding at amount requested by the schools (FY18 = $7,202,440 current expense, $1,230,000 teacher supplements and $1,465,000 capital)

 Vance-Granville Community College – Requested conversion of $17,500 to recurring capital and $386,610 in special one-time CIP capital for parking lot repairs and resurfacing, groundskeeper equipment replacement, and campus police vehicle replacement. Recommended budget includes converting $17,500 to recurring to be put towards groundskeeper equipment replacement with other CIP projects programmed in future years (FY 18 = $1,138,917 current expense, $23,720 in recurring capital, $17,500 in one-time capital, and $12,680 for Maria Parham Nursing Center)

 EMS Department – Requested 3 full-time captain positions (1 for each shift) – $181,947; Requested 4% salary adjustment for a division chief – $2,408

 Fire Department – Requested 3 full-time fire specialist III positions (1 for each shift) to provide 24/7 coverage at Kerr Lake substation – $146,208; Requested 12 pagers – $9,100; Requested 5 portables and 1 mobile radio at $24,000 and budget includes 2 portables and 1 mobile radio at $12,000; Requested $12,000 to replace fitness equipment and budget includes $6,000

 Sheriff’s Office – Requested 25 stop sticks – $11,619; Requested 25 bulletproof vests at $17,988 and budget includes 15 at $10,793

 Animal Services – Requested 1 full-time Kennel Attendant position (NEW) – $35,876; budget includes converting existing part-time Kennel Attendant to full-time – $25,137

 Social Services – 2 vehicles – $50,000; budget includes 1 vehicle as per CIP

 Planning and Development – 2 trucks – $50,000; budget includes 1 truck as per CIP

 Maintenance and Security – 1 truck – $25,800; construction of steps from new parking lot to courthouse side entrance – $3,200

 Veterans Services – increased salary and reclassification of administrative assistant to senior administrative assistant – $3,482

 Economic Development – National Brewer’s Conference – $3,000

 Elections – Removed second primary in July – $43,100

 Perry Memorial Library – Requested county increase of $29,868.75 which included 15% health insurance increase – actual health insurance increase of 6.5% saves $18,000 from requested amount; Recommended budget includes increase of $10,000 to fully fund county portion of additional 8 hours of operation from FY18 and to cover health insurance increases (FY 18 = $582,200 which included $20,000 during FY18 to cover partial year cost of adding eight hours of operation)

 Downtown Development Commission – increase of $18,500 to convert part-time position to full-time as required for Main Street status (FY 18 = $1,500); Budget includes level funding with an expectation that Main Street could potentially be obtained in FY2020.

 Boys and Girls Club – increase of $3,000 (FY 18 = $27,000)

 Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers – increase of $500 (FY 18 = $500)

 Franklin, Vance, Warren Opportunity – increase of $3,000 (FY 18 = $12,000); FY18 – Warren County funded $8,000 and Franklin County funded $13,750

 Franklin, Granville, Vance Smart Start – increase of $1,500 (FY 18 = $3,500); Budget includes increase of $1,000 as match for a Division of Public Health grant.

 Vance County Arts Council – increase of $1,100 (FY 18 = $900)

 Roanoke River Basin Association – increase of $4,408 (FY 18 = $100)

 Occoneechee Council – Boy Scouts of America – New request for $25,000 for SCOUTStrong Initiative (FY18 = $0)

AdVance Academy Graduates Record Number of Seniors

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

AdVance Academy graduated a record number of seniors in the Class of 2018 during the school’s Commencement Exercises held during the evening of June 8, at McGregor Hall in Henderson.

A total of 95 graduates from AdVance Academy received their high school diplomas during the exercises.

AdVance Academy graduates stand as Kaitlyn Tant sings the “National Anthem.” (Photo courtesy Vance County Schools)

McGregor Hall had an audience of over 700 people gathered in the facility’s auditorium to watch the event and cheer on their graduates.

Principal Stephanie Ayscue presided at the event.

The Northern Vance High School Junior ROTC Color Guard presented the colors and Kaitlyn Tant, a senior at Southern Vance High School, sang the “National Anthem.”

Melissa Elliott of Graduation Alliance led the portion of the exercises that involved all of the graduates presenting red roses to their parents.

Que Tucker, commissioner of the N.C. High School Athletic Association, was the featured speaker. She encouraged the graduates to follow their “ABCs,” which she said stand for attitude, believing in yourself and courage. Tucker urged all of the seniors to go out into the world and not let anything or anyone stand in their way of accomplishing their goals in life.

The presentation of diplomas to each of the graduates was led by Ayscue, Elliott, Superintendent Anthony D. Jackson. Vance County Board of Education Chairwoman Darlynn Oxendine, and Assistant Superintendents Trixie Brooks, Cindy Bennett and Jennifer Bennett.

The graduates will now go on to attend a community college, four-year college or university, join the military or go into the workforce.

Last Graduates of Northern Vance High School Take the Stage

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Members of the Class of 2018 at Northern Vance High School received deserved recognitions during their Commencement Exercises held in the afternoon of June 9 at McGregor Hall in Henderson.

Assistant Principal Mark Lawhorne welcomes everyone to the Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2018 at Northern Vance High School. (Photo courtesy Vance County Schools)

Every seat was filled in the almost 1,000 seat auditorium as family members, friends, educators and school system officials joined in paying tribute to the last graduating class of Northern Vance High. An overflow crowd of about 300 watched via live stream on large screens set up in the McGregor Hall Gallery.

There were 177 members of the graduating class. They were awarded $4.9 million in scholarships to attend college and further their educations. The vast majority will go on to attend a community college or a four-year college or university. Some graduates have chosen to join the military and some will move directly into the workforce.

Assistant Principal Mark Lawhorne led the Commencement Exercises.

The seniors, all wearing their dark blue caps and gowns with a white, collar sash trimmed in gold, processed into the auditorium as the audience stood in recognition of their achievements.

Once the graduates were in position on the stage, members of the Vance County Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard presented the colors. Graduating senior Jadyn Jones sang the “National Anthem.”

Clara Bobbitt, who finished number one in the graduating class academically, provided the valedictory address for her classmates. She spoke about their four years of hard work and accomplishments at Northern Vance and their hopes for going on to continued success in college and their future careers. Erin McAllister delivered the salutatorian address in recognition of her completion as the second highest academic achiever in the class.

Northern Vance graduating senior Erin McAllister receives her high school diploma. (Photo courtesy Vance County Schools)

Markoch led the presentation of diplomas to each of the graduates. The seniors lined up to the left of the stage and walked across to receive their high school diplomas. Joining Markoch with the presentations were Superintendent Anthony D. Jackson, Vance County Board of Education Chairwoman Darlynn Oxendine and Assistant Superintendents, Jennifer Bennett, Trixie Brooks and Cindy Bennett.

In addition to Bobbitt and McAllister, those students who completed their senior year in the top 10 percent academically for the class were Briana Coleman, Akyvia Alston, La’Niayah Bates, Kwaji Bullock, Jordan Burnette, Diamond Durham, Jamon Glover, Destini Hargrove, Madison Hetrick, Makayla Jefferys, Jadyn Jones, Autumn Julian, Laneka Littlejohn, Manaya Perry, Shyanne Robertson, Christopher Stainback, Cody Stainback and Jonthan Vu.

Northern Vance High students serving as commencement marshals included: Billy Zheng (lead marshal), Destinee Bullock, Tiera Bullock, Anterrahn Harris, Tomesha Jefferson, Brittney Kersey, Jaida Lewis, Alex Machado, Matthew Munn, Ryan Stainback, Briana Sulyans and Breana Williams.