The 2021 Celebration of Giving hosted by the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) on September 16, 2021. The CFNRV celebrated at the Pete Dye River Course in Fairlawn. The event honored the CFNRV’s many donors, with a special tribute to National Bank of Blacksburg,. 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. This helps 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. The bank also 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.
National Bank believes in the mission of the Community Foundation
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. Others in attendance donate directly to the Fund for the NRV. This fund 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.
New giving circle, the 1994 Society
The event also promoted the CFNRV’s newest giving circle, the 1994 Society, honoring the year the CFNRV began. In 1994, a group of volunteers pooled together small gifts to make a big impact in the community. Named after those volunteers, the 1994 Society centers on the same idea that they had – a lot of small gifts pooled together will make a big impact. Members 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 founding Board that 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. “We are appreciative of all donors of the Community Foundation,” said Wirgau. “Endowed funds allow us to award grants and scholarships across the region. 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. They underwrite 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. Agent Scott Vaught shared he was honored to sponsor the Celebration of Giving sharing, “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”.