September 29, 2011
Four outstanding local nonprofits to receive $80,000 through Cameron recognition awards
PETERSBURG, VA — Marking the fifth year of its recognition award programs, The Cameron Foundation has chosen three local nonprofits to be recognized for their outstanding community service and organizational management. The awards will be officially presented to Stony Creek Volunteer Rescue Squad, Virginia’s Gateway Region and The James House Intervention/ Prevention Services at the Foundation’s Annual Grant Awards Ceremony on October 27, 2011.
The selections are the result of two annual competitions for nonprofit organizations within the Foundation’s service area of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, and the counties of Dinwiddie, Prince George, Sussex, and the portion of Chesterfield County lying south of Rt. 10.
For the 2011 Cleveland A. Wright Award for Outstanding Community Service, members of the community were encouraged to nominate an organization that they felt had demonstrated a commitment to caring and generosity of spirit, as well as openness and accessibility. This award was named in honor of The Cameron Foundation’s first president (and current board member) for his exemplary and untiring commitment to the Foundation’s mission. By the June 15 deadline, nominations had been received for 14 different organizations. Eleven of those were eligible for consideration and moved forward through the competitive process. Led by Foundation director Donald L. Haraway, a panel reviewed and scored the applications and voted to honor Stony Creek Volunteer Rescue Squad with an unrestricted $40,000 gift.
For the Excellence in Organizational Management Award, nonprofit organizational staff or board members applied on behalf of their organization. The application process was similar to an internal audit or self-assessment, and organizations were encouraged to use it as an opportunity to measure themselves against national best practices in organizational management. It was anticipated that this program would see a smaller pool of candidates due to the rigorous nature of the process, and the number of applications received by the July 7 submission deadline totaled five.
Along with committee chair and Foundation director Pam Comstock, five additional community members reviewed and scored the applications and voted to honor Virginia’s Gateway Region with the first place unrestricted gift of $30,000 for demonstrating excellence in overall organizational management. This recipient had previously secured honorable mentions in 2008, 2009 and 2010 under this award program.
The Excellence in Organizational Management Award review committee also voted this year to recognize The James House with an honorable mention gift of $10,000 for exemplifying excellence in one or more of the specific areas reviewed during the scoring process.
The review committees of the Cleveland A. Wright Award for Outstanding Community Service and the Excellence in Organizational Management Award are made up of volunteers who live or work within the community. They are identified by the Foundation staff and board members, invited to serve and approved by the Foundation’s board. Each committee is chaired by a member of the board. The 2011 committee members for the Cleveland A. Wright Award for Outstanding Community Service include: Dr. Cheryl M. Adeyemi, Robert S. Carlon, Chequila H. Fields, Dr. William D. Irvin, Angela M. Orrell and Pastor J. David Tolbert. Committee members for the 2011 Excellence in Organizational Management Award include: Dr. Virginia R. Cherry, Dr. Ray L. Drinkwater, Victor Branch, Heather Turbyne-Pollard and Carol D. Woodward.
The Cameron Foundation is a private foundation formed in April 2003 from the proceeds of the sale of Southside Regional Medical Center. The Foundation’s programs and activities are intended to benefit residents in those areas historically served by the hospital.