Shoe fund includes other back-to-school needs

The WRVA Alden Aaroe Shoe Fund isn't just for shoes anymore. Donations of more than $60,000 this year helped more than 800 children get off to a good start in school with whatever they needed most.

"It's grown to provide more than just shoes," said Jeff Baldwin, spokesman for the Salvation Army, which administers the 42-year-old fund. "It's back-to-school supplies, and if they need a pair of sneakers, by all means get the sneakers, but they may need a hooded sweatshirt or gym shorts instead."

Each child who qualified for assistance this year received a $75 gift card to spend at Wal-Mart on shoes, clothing or school supplies. The amount each year varies, based on contributions, Baldwin said. In addition to the annual fundraising campaign at Christmas, an annual WRVA Blue Ball Open golf tournament also raises money.

"It's a great program that WRVA offers," Baldwin said. "It's pretty unique to central Virginia. When [Aaroe] started the fund, there was a need for shoes. Kids were going to school in ratty old sneakers or barefoot. That's not necessarily the need now. We approached them about potentially growing this program" to include other back-to-school needs.

More than 150 people also attended "Back to School Sunday," which offered backpacks filled with school supplies, at the Salvation Army Richmond Center for Worship and Service, he said.

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Dominion has awarded more than $300,000 in educational grants to 50 schools and institutions in areas served by the energy company, including five schools that shared $44,000 in the Richmond region.

The grants focused on energy and environmental education.

"All indicators are we need more emphasis on math and science in the classroom," said David Botkins, spokesman for Dominion Virginia Power. "These educational grants will help further that goal through the study of energy, environment and technology.

"Energy conservation -- combined with new and emerging technologies -- will play a leading role in meeting the future demand for electricity in the United States," added William C. Hall Jr., a vice president of Dominion and president of the Dominion Foundation, in an announcement of the grants. "It is important to support the fresh ideas and intellectual potential of tomorrow's workers and leaders of this industry."

Regional recipients of the grants, which can be as high as $10,000, include:

J.R. Tucker High School in Henrico County was awarded $7,500 for students to study and understand the components of power generation, fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. Through hands-on projects, students will gain an understanding of electric transmission and distribution.

Linwood Holton Elementary School in Richmond was awarded $5,000 to implement a climate change and sustainability curriculum. Students will learn ways to protect their environment by planting an organic garden and conducting an energy audit on their school.

Matoaca High School in Chesterfield County was awarded $7,500 to create an outdoor classroom where students can study plant life native to Virginia. As part of the classroom, a butterfly garden will provide live subjects for students to examine.

Petersburg High School in Petersburg was awarded $10,000 for the "Student Water Analysis & Monitoring Project" (SWAMP). Plans are to create an outdoor classroom that will include space for 25 students to analyze water samples. Laboratory stations will allow students to work, study, analyze and observe firsthand the elements that impact water quality.

The Virginia Section of the American Nuclear Society in Richmond was awarded $6,000 to conduct a four-day science teacher workshop for middle and high school science teachers from across the state. The teachers will be exposed to classroom training, hands-on laboratories and technical tours on various topics dealing with nuclear energy, nuclear science and technology, and radiation. Each teacher also will receive a Geiger-Muller radiation detector for their classroom.

The Dominion Educational Grants Partnership Program helps schools strengthen the mathematics and science skills of students in grades K-12. The grants are made through the Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources. The company has awarded more than $2.6 million in such grants since the program began in 1996.

For more information, visit http://www.dom.com; enter keyword "education."

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When Heritage Wealth Advisors won the Pacesetter Award from Charles Schwab & Co., the Community Foundation's Safety Net Fund also was a winner.

The award came with a $10,000 charitable donation, which Heritage steered to the Safety Net Fund set up to help nonprofit organizations survive the recession.

"We are so pleased to have such a meaningful amount to give," said Dee Ann Remo, founder and managing director of Heritage Wealth Advisors. "The Safety Net Fund allowed us to have an immediate impact in Richmond."

Remo said her company became involved with the Community Foundation when helping clients plan for philanthropic giving.

"When you talk with them, you get to see the impact that the Community Foundation actually has. You see how they really make a difference," she said. "For us, it was really, we could have an immediate impact in a meaningful way."

Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or . Send notices for Notable Gifts to .