The Koinonia Foundation presented $22,000 in grants to local nonprofits and presented its 2021 Russell Dew Community Service Award to a deserving citizen during a June 8 reception at the Wake Forest Historical Museum.
The grant funding will help eight local charitable organizations address human needs in the greater Wake Forest, Rolesville and Youngsville areas.
The Koinonia Foundation recipients are:
- Called to Peace Ministries (www.calledtopeace. org) is a non-denominational nonprofit dedicated to offering hope and healing to victims of domestic violence, emotionally destructive relationships and sexual assault.
- ChurchNet Foundation (www.churchnetfoundation.net) provides emergency financial assistance to individuals living in Wake Forest, Rolesville and Youngsville with overdue utility bills and those in need of prescription medication.
- Kerr Family YMCA (A branch of the YMCA of the Triangle) (www.ymcatriangle.org) puts Christian principles into practice by nurturing the potential of children through youth development, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility by providing opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Grant funds will support the Y Learning Program, which partners with local schools to identify and serve students who are, or who are at risk, of performing below grade level in school subjects.
- Oh Lord Help Us (www.ohlordhelp.us) equips women who have aged out of foster care to live with purpose and freedom by offering employment, mentoring and community connection programs that focus on life skill development, professional growth and spiritual guidance.
- St. John’s Episcopal Church-Wake Forest Community Meals Program (www.facebook.com/wake-forest-community-meals-626979044600721) provides nutritious meals, as well as educational and recreational opportunities, to the Wake Forest Community.
- Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry (www.triareaministry.com) is the largest food pantry in the Northern Wake County area and provides food and personal hygiene products to families in need living in Wake Forest, Rolesville, Youngsville and surrounding areas of Wake County.
- Wake Forest Optimist Club (facebook.com/wakeforestoptimistclub) conducts service projects in the Wake Forest community aimed at helping young people. It will purchase items to make Comfort Kits for children who have been removed from their homes and are under care by Northern Wake Regional Center Child Protective Services.
- Wake Forest Presbyterian Church (wakeforestpres.org) supports many other local nonprofits and plans to use grant funds from to support the Backpack Buddies program at schools located in Wake Forest and surrounding communities.
“Caring for and helping others in need strengthens our community,” said Holden McLemore, Koinonia Foundation Board member and grants coordinator. “For three decades, our Foundation has contributed to the positive impact social good has on our neighbors in need.”
The new Wegmans in Wake Forest donated food for the reception.
During the reception, the Koinonia Board of Directors also presented its Russell Dew Community Service award to Bob White, a Wake Forest business leader and past Koinonia Board member. White served as president and CEO of Wake Forest Federal for 15 years before retiring in 2017. He currently serves as vice chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors.
White was a longtime Koinonia Foundation board member and supporter serving as treasurer and a financial advisor. He was known to personally assist those in need in the community when others could not. The Russell Dew Award recognizes his selfless service to others, especially the disadvantaged.
“This award acknowledges Bob’s kind and caring nature and is a small way for us to honor his acts of generosity and significant contributions to our community,” said Koinonia Foundation Board President Becky Parsons. “The world would be a better place if there were more people like Bob.”
The award is typically given each year during the organization’s Koinonia Cares Charity Auction & Dinner; however, this year the auction was canceled due to the pandemic and replaced by the virtual Pace for Grace 5K Race.
Funds raised during the year enable The Koinonia Foundation to continue supporting local nonprofits and fulfilling personal benevolence requests. Individual and corporate donations can be made online by visiting the Koinonia website www.koinoniawf.org.
About the Koinonia Foundation of Wake Forest
The Koinonia Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that cares for neighbors in crisis. Its volunteer board of directors oversees the distribution of funds to organizations and individuals in the communities of Wake Forest, Rolesville and Youngsville. The Koinonia Foundation is an interdenominational organization that was started by a Sunday school class at Wake Forest Baptist Church. Since 1990, the organization has provided funding for food, shelter, clothing and medical assistance to meet the needs of both community organizations and individuals. Koinonia is a Greek word that translates to “communion with others by act of intimate participation.” Website: www.koinoniawf.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharingcommunityWF/ Instagram: @koinoniawakeforest
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