The Cameron Foundation awarded grants totaling more than $1.2 million last month to 18 nonprofit organizations serving the Tri-Cities area. “The foundation makes other capacity-building investments in the local nonprofit sector in addition to grants such as these,“ foundation president Handy L. Lindsey Jr. said. “In order to continue serving the community in today’s environment, it is all the more critical that nonprofit organizations fully utilize the resources that are available, and we are mindful of our role as facilitators in this work,“ he said.

SunTrust, Dominion workers give $2 million to United Way SunTrust Bank and Dominion employees donated more than $2 million to the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg 2008 campaign. SunTrust Bank employees generated more than $1 million in support for the fifth consecutive year. “At SunTrust, our philosophy has always been, ‘Build your community and you build your bank,‘“ said Gail Letts, president and CEO of SunTrust Bank, central Virginia.

The gift of sight was improved for some area residents this year courtesy of the Virginia Eye Institute’s Cataract Mission. Patricia Bevins of Caroline County was among the 19 patientswho received free cataract surgery last month. “It’s like seeing in HD [high definition],“ Bevins, 55, said.

Ron and Nancy McFarlane met and fell in love while students at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. They married not long after their 1980 graduation from the university they admire and respect. The McFarlanes, who live in Raleigh, N.C., where they own MedPro Rx Inc., a provider of specialty pharmacy services to clients with chronic illnesses, enjoy supporting their alma mater.

The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation awarded Saint Paul’s College a $120,000 grant for scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year. The grant will assist 25 female students at the school in Lawrenceville. “The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation has been a bedrock of scholarship support for Saint Paul’s College students for more than 28 years,“ said Dr. Robert L. Satcher Sr., Saint Paul’s president.

Six years ago when Anna Hanback was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer, she decided to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. So she organized a bake sale at the Virginia House of Delegates, where she works as the human resource director. The first event raised $500. The next year she added a silent auction. Each year the event grew.

Au pairs from six countries gathered a week ago to stuff bears for youngsters at VCU Children’s Medical Center. As part of a national effort, Cheryl Kircher, AuPairCare area director, and 20 au pairs gathered at the Short Pump Town Center’s Build-A-Bear Workshop to create and donate bears to 32 children. “For a bunch of adults, we had a lot of fun,“ Kircher said.

Take jungle animals and human performers, weave in magical twists and transform the circus into a must-see venue.  That’s the formula behind the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey 139th installment of “The Greatest Show on Earth.“ 

Mention a Mormon musical family, and images of toothy Osmonds dance in most folks’ heads. But there’s another talented group of siblings known as The 5 Browns, and they’ll share their musical gifts and faith with area fans this weekend. “We’re really excited to be coming to Richmond,“ said Gregory Brown, who along with his siblings Ryan, Melody, Deondra and Desirae, shot to fame several years ago.

What’s life like as a priest? How did loved ones react to news that a family member wanted to be one? What about celibacy? Young men curious about the answers can find them on Facebook. MySpace. And YouTube. Unscripted videos with priests and seminarians talking openly about their lives are the heart of an innovative online campaign by the Catholic Diocese of Richmond that is unique in the nation.

The MathScience Innovation Center recently announced that Altria Group Inc. has pledged $200,000 over two years to help bring nanoscience—the study of extremely small objects such as atoms and molecules—into more area classrooms. The funding will support the 21st Century Nanotechnology Fellows Program, which will provide training to help 18 area teachers introduce nanoscience concepts into the curriculum for middle and high school students.

Raised by a single mother, Pastor Michael Jones of Village of Faith Ministries knows how women heading households struggle. For nine women, he’s reduced some of their burdens. “We give these single mothers something a lot of Americans don’t have, that is a car without a car note,“ Jones said. “For these ladies to get a vehicle that runs and is in good condition and they don’t have to have a car note, its awesome.“

Raised by a single mother, Pastor Michael Jones of Village of Faith Ministries knows how women heading households struggle. For nine women, he’s reduced some of their burdens.

Desire a tasty lunch and quick service amid a fun décor? Look no further than Tara Thai in Short Pump Town Center. Decorated with an oceanic theme, this enchanting eatery isn’t all show.

A partnership between Mondial Assistance and WWBT-12 spotlighted three local women in a “World of Good” television campaign. Mondial Assistance, an international travel insurance and assistance provider with U.S. operations based in Henrico County, purchased air time on WWBT-12 and produced spots featuring the women whose efforts improve the lives of others.