Foundation donates $60,510 to cancer center

Connor's Heroes Foundation last week donated $60,510 to the VCU Massey Cancer Center.

The Jamie Hess Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Research Fund and the Pediatric Cancer Research Endowment Fund will split the contribution. Connor's Heroes established the endowment fund last year.

Steve and Lisa Goodwin founded Connor's Heroes in 2006 after their son, Connor, now 7, completed treatment for leukemia.

"It makes me feel good and happy when I see a big check . . . because I'm hoping they cure cancer," Connor said.

An aspiring scientist, he hopes to grow up and "cure cancer and make a new space suit that won't burn up when you land on a planet."

Connor's Heroes holds about a dozen fundraisers a year, including the Anthem Quest for the Cure in Carytown. So far, more than $250,000 has been raised.

Among other activities, Connor's Heroes provides backpacks filled with age-appropriate goodies for children treated for cancer at the VCU Children's Medical Center.

"We are grateful for the energy and wisdom that Connor's Heroes brings to the fight against pediatric cancer," said Dr. Gordon D. Ginder, director of the Massey Cancer Center.

"Not only do they support our mission in conducting groundbreaking research, but they actively reach out to young patients and their families to give them a heroic lift throughout the cancer journey."

For more information about the foundation, go to http://www.connorsheroes.org

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Patsy Rieley of Bedford recently won a national philanthropic initiative that allowed her to award $10,000 to a nonprofit of her choice.

She chose one in her hometown that employs the disabled.

Longwood Industries Inc. "does a great service for citizens who have limitations either physical or mental," Rieley said. "They are not able to hold down a regular job. It gives them a sense of worth."

Rieley, who serves on the organization's board of directors, said the money comes at a great time.

"We, like a lot of nonprofits, are struggling financially so what better place could I give it?"

The donation will help with transportation, said Renee Fisher, director of Longwood Industries.

"We're transporting 60 people round-trip from the facility to their homes. Other than the school system, we're the largest transportation in the city. We don't have cab service," said Fisher, who added that the grant will help buy a van.

Rieley's donation was the result of her being one of four national essay winners of Botox Dreams, a national health, education and philanthropic campaign to recognize people living with cervical dystonia. The neurological disorder is characterized by involuntary spasms of the neck muscles.

After an accident, Rieley suffered with the condition for two years until she started receiving Botox treatments.

"We want the world to know Botox is used for therapeutic treatment, too," she said.

Allergen Inc., the maker of Botox and one of the campaign partners, provided the $10,000 grant.

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Area employees are stepping up to help residents who have lost their economic footing.

Circuit City Stores Inc. employees recently made a $25,000 donation to the Central Virginia Foodbank.

Circuit City employees raised the money with events at the company's local call center and its corporate headquarters in Henrico County. Fundraisers included bake sales, silent auctions, a food-sculpture contest and a wine-tasting and fashion show.

In September, Circuit City workers donated 8,000 pounds of food. Between the food and monetary contribution, approximately 133,000 meals will be provided.

Provident Bank employees also recently donated $4,000 along with 300 pounds of food collected from employees and bank customers at its branches.

The creative efforts of Circuit City and Provident Bank employees "typify the unbelievable generosity of our supporters and their willingness to go the extra mile, and even have fun in the process, to ensure that no one goes hungry in our region," said Fay Lohr, chief executive officer of FeedMore, the umbrella organization overseeing the Central Virginia Foodbank and Meals on Wheels.

"We are so thankful for the hard-working Circuit City and Provident associates and others like them, who remind us throughout this season and all year long what it means to be a caring community."

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Michael Pirron, chief executive officer and founder of Impact Makers Inc., donated $6,000 to Rx Partnership, a public-private partnership that provides prescription medication for uninsured Virginians.

Impact Makers, a Richmond-based information technology and management-consulting firm, will make monthly donations of at least $1,000 to Rx Partnership.

"By providing a sustainable recurring income to RxP, we are enabling them to focus on fulfilling their mission of providing services to the community, rather than spending valuable resources on fundraising efforts," Pirron said.

"We also give about 10 percent of our time to do pro bono consulting to help them focus on effective service delivery."

According to the Virginia Health Care Foundation, more than a quarter of uninsured Virginians go without needed medications because they cannot afford to pay for their prescriptions.

"Rx Partnership and the uninsured Virginians we serve will benefit greatly from Impact Makers' financial contribution, technical assistance and advisory services of Impact Makers' leadership and staff," said Andrew Wilson, Rx Partnership's board chairman.

"This innovative partnership will assist Rx Partnership in focusing more effectively on our mission to increase access to prescription medication for Virginia's uninsured."

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The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, a public-private partnership based in Richmond, has awarded more than $1.3 million in grants to support early-learning initiatives.

To qualify for the VECF grants, business leaders and local executives in the five selected regions provided community investment of additional funds equal to half the grant amount.

Funds from the two-year grants will enhance programs and provide additional staff to help 100,000 youngsters enter kindergarten ready to learn.

The cities, towns and counties that were recipients were:

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Christmas meals will be given to people who don't have family or friends to eat with.

Meals will be provided by The Salvation Army, 2 W. Grace St., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dinner, gifts and transportation will be provided at the Conrad Center, 1400 Oliver Hill Way, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Grocery distributor and supermarket operator Supervalu Inc. will provide the meals and volunteers. A shuttle bus will leave from 517 W. Grace St. and 3015 Nine Mile Road starting at 10 a.m. and will run every hour until 1 p.m. For more details, call 233-4064, ext. 209. Contact Robin Farmer at (804) 649-6312 or .