The 2021 Celebration of Giving hosted by the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) on September 16, 2021, at Pete Dye River Course in Fairlawn honored the CFNRV’s many donors, with a special tribute to National Bank, a longtime partner and supporter.
National Bank has been supporting the CFNRV for many years through various programs. Most recently, they have been the match sponsor for the annual Giving Day, GiveLocalNRV, helping the CFNRV raise critical unrestricted funds for the Fund for the NRV. In additional to being financially supportive of the CFNRV, National Bank has had representation on the CFNRV Board of Directors for many years and manages a portion of the CFNRV’s investment portfolio. Currently, President & CEO, Brad Denardo sits on the CFNRV Board and serves on the scholarship committee.
During the Celebration of Giving event, Board President Pat Hyer presented National Bank with an award for their longtime support. Brad Denardo accepted the award on behalf of the National Bank. He shared that “National Bank believes in the mission of the Community Foundation. We continue to support the CFNRV because of the great work that they do in the community, and the impact that they make on so many nonprofits, with initiatives, and in through the scholarship program”. In addition, he shared that National Bank appreciates having a seat at the table of the Board of Directors to help guide and grow the Community Foundation.
Pat Hyer shared her appreciation for the continuous support provided by National Bank. “Brad, and his predecessors at National Bank, have been at the table and by our side, providing wise counsel and donating to the Fund for the NRV. Their steadfast commitment allows the Foundation staff to do great work in the community.”
The CFNRV was excited to host the Celebration of Giving event in 2021 after having to cancel the event in 2020 due to COVID-19. This event is a way to celebrate all donors of the CFNRV. Many in attendance have endowments at the CFNRV, while others in attendance donate directly to the Fund for the NRV, which supports all of the CFNRV’s programs and collaborative projects. The celebration included hors d’oeuvres, a whiskey tasking by JH Bards, and a brief program about CFNRV activities over the past year.
The event also promoted the CFNRV’s newest giving circle, the 1994 Society. The CFNRV was founded in 1994 by a group of volunteers who pooled together small gifts to make a big impact in the community. The 1994 Society was named after those volunteers, with the same idea that they had – a lot of small gifts pooled together will make a big impact. Members of the 1994 Society make a gift of $19.94 or more per month to benefit the Fund for the NRV. 1994 Society members received a discounted ticket price to the Celebration of Giving as one of their membership perks. Some guests in attendance were not only on the 1994 Board that started the CFNRV but are also 1994 Society Members. Anyone who joins the 1994 Society in 2021 will be considered a Foundation Member.
Jessica Wirgau, the Chief Executive Officer of the CFNRV shared her excitement for the event, and the donors who support the CFNRV with their gifts, “We are appreciative of all donors of the Community Foundation. Endowed funds allow us to award grants and scholarships across the region, while gifts to The Fund for the NRV support our nonprofit leadership programs and collaborative projects in areas like food access and education. Supporters like National Bank and our new 1994 Society members make all of our work possible, underwriting the time and expertise of our staff and supporting programs that truly make a difference. It was a pleasure to celebrate them and all the donors who support the CFNRV.”
Liberty Mutual Insurance sponsored the Celebration of Giving, and agent Scott Vaught stated that he was honored to sponsor the Celebration of Giving starting “the Community Foundation does such great work in the NRV. I am honored to support this event and have an opportunity to get to know the work of the CFNRV”.