Community Link Newsletter

The BRCC  Educational Foundation’s annual Spring Fling auction was a roaring success this year! The School Spirit themed event raised over $63,300 through ticket sales, sponsors, silent and live auctions, and donations! Attendance was also the best in the event’s 17-year history with 220 attendees. The live auction grossed more than $30,000 which was a first as well.

Enjoy these images from this year’s event and mark your calendars for April 12, 2013 for next year’s auction!

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BRCC SIFE returned from Haiti on January 21st after spending a week in the villages of Mon L’opital and LaTorre Bouchan. While in Mon L’opital, BRCC SIFE initiated a pilot solar light project for 23 families to receive solar lights in their homes. In a village where there is no electricity, these lights provide both a safe way to light the homes and a cost savings to the villagers, as solar power replaces the need for charcoal or kerosene.  In response to the tremendous success and excitement this project generated in the village, BRCC SIFE plans to continue to purchase and provide these lights to the village until every house is lit by the power of the sun!

BRCC SIFE also provided eight families with breeding pairs of pigs. Through this economic development project these families will pay forward half of the piglets in their first litter to other impoverished families to use for breeding.  They will also be able to sell the pigs at market in Port au Prince, increasing their annual income by 75 – 100% with every pig sold. The pig cooperative will provide economic development and financial security to villagers while creating an evolution of sustainable growth through the pay it forward principle.

BRCC SIFE students visited an orphanage that 11 children call home. These children are part of a new BRCC SIFE sponsorship program. To date BRCC SIFE has located sponsors for 9 of the 11 children. Only $20 a month and provides food, clothing and education for each sponsored child.

After nine months of work, the BRCC SIFE Team returned to Latorre Bouchan, a small fishing village on the small island of Lagonave, Haiti. The SIFE Team has worked with village leaders to increase the health and sustainability of the village. BRCC SIFE has built four latrines which has reduced the cases of typhoid and cholera. The SIFE Team provided the fishing village with a 40 horsepower motor, GPS/Sonar equipment, and fishing gear to increase the village’s ability to provide for itself through better fishing practices and the ability to fish in deeper water.

While in Haiti, BRCC SIFE returned to Riviere Froide to visit the BRCC SIFE/Davis School for the Disabled. The student team was met by the children that call the school their home. The school building is fully functional and meeting the needs of 59 orphaned and handicapped children thanks to the generosity and support of our BRCC community.

If you would like additional information about BRCC SIFE, please contact Rebecca Evans at EvansR@brcc.edu or (540) 453-2366.

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A group of BRCC students and administrators traveled to Richmond in January to thank local legislators for their support of BRCC and to encourage their continued commitment to higher education in the Commonwealth.  From left to right, BRCC students Chance Snell and Taylor Vierrether, BRCC president John Downey, BRCC students Anna Jensen and Angelica Puzio, BRCC Dean of Learning Resources Frank Moran, BRCC Vice President of Finance and Administration Bob Baldygo, and Delegate Steve Landes.

BRCC student Angelica Puzio blogged about her experience at VirginiaHigherEd.com, a blog dedicated to updating Virginians on the latest news and information about Virginia higher education and Virginia’s Community Colleges:
“Going to the General Assembly to visit Virginia’s Senate and House members was an experience I will never forget.  My school, Blue Ridge Community College, has given me so many opportunities; this is what I wanted to convey to our legislators. However, I was a little nervous about talking with them.
I couldn’t have been more surprised at how personable our legislators are! Not only were they easy to talk to, they were compassionate- they truly listened to what each person had to say. I felt as if I was speaking with people I knew about my experience with the Virginia Community College System; this was both comforting and pleasantly surprising.
Speaking with our legislators reflects something that most people are starting to no longer associate with politicians- the sense that they truly work for their constituents. I saw this in each Senate or House member that I spoke with. Upon leaving, I felt confident that our group had advocated well for VCCS and that our visit would remain in the minds of our legislators.
Both our legislators’ compassion and dedication stuck out to me and renewed me with admiration for those who work as legislative authorities in this state. As I watched the House of Delegates in action speaking the words of our Pledge of Allegiance, I could not help but feel elated with patriotic love towards my wonderful country and the state of Virginia. The General Assembly renewed my pride in being a part of this nation, this state, and more specifically, as a student of the Virginia Community College System.”

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The BRCC Educational Foundation is pleased to announce the receipt of a $3,250.00 grant through BP’s Fueling Communities Program.  Dixie Gas & Oil Corporation, which has been serving the area’s propane and petroleum needs since 1946, recommended BRCC to receive this grant.  “We recognize the value that BRCC brings to the community and its students.  Our company has supported Blue Ridge over the years with donations of money and goods, and we have benefited from its classes and programs.  It’s been a win-win situation for us.  We are proud to have been able to leverage our support through the BP Fueling or Communities grant program” said Chris Earhart, President.
The BP Fueling Communities Program provides grants to local organizations that are nominated by BP Branded business owners to support the communities in which they do business.  The grants are given to organizations that focus on health, education, youth, food and housing to spread charity and goodwill, amongst neighborhoods in need.
The grant will enhance the Blue Ridge Annual Fund in supporting programs for the students and faculty of BRCC.   The Blue Ridge Annual Fund supports projects of the highest priority to the students and faculty of BRCC, including: financial-need-based scholarships to students who might not otherwise be able to afford a college education; mini-grants to faculty members for instructional improvement activities that allow for more focused and career-specific instruction; emergency financial assistance through the Women’s Resource Center to students – both women and men – in need; and professional development opportunities for all BRCC staff members to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.
Blue Ridge Community College is fortunate to benefit from the support of community partners like Dixie Gas.  Contributions like the one from BP / Dixie Gas make an important difference in the lives of our students, our faculty members, and our community.

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Make plans now to join us for the annual Spring Fling Auction on Friday, March 23rd. This year’s theme is School Spirit, so “sport” your favorite college gear and you could win a prize for most school spirit!  Our Lead sponsor—Moseley Architects, along with our Gold sponsors Beam Brothers Trucking and Graves-Light Wealth Management of Wells Fargo Advisors—invite you to join them for the silent auction at 6:00 p.m. and the live auction beginning at 7:45 p.m. in the Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center.

The Foundation would also like to recognize Silver sponsors: Bowman Family Dentistry, John L. Matherly, CPA, McDonalds/APB Management/APB Restaurants, and the Rockingham Group; as well as Bronze sponsors: Dental Health Associates, Follett Higher Education Group, Frontier Community Bank, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Gearing III, H&R, Inc., Hollister, Houff Transfer, Inc., InterChange, Lenhart Obenshain PC, REO Distribution, Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative, Shentel, Union First Market Bank, United Bank, and Valley Building Supply, Inc.

Spring Fling is a wonderful time for community members to come together, mingle with old friends, and support an excellent cause.  Spring Fling is your one-stop shop for spa and fitness packages, restaurant gift certificates, overnight getaways, fabulous vacations, family fun (including canoeing, camping, and passes for local landmarks and historical sites), landscaping services, artwork, handmade quilts, jewelry, and tickets for plays and sporting events! So come and bid on your favorite items and help BRCC raise funds to respond to educational needs of the central Shenandoah Valley.

Tickets for this event are $60, and space is limited. If you would like to attend or sponsor the event, or donate an auction item, please contact Sally Jane Conner at (540) 453-2203 or conners@brcc.edu.

Please visit http://www.brcc.edu/sf/ for a current listing of sponsors and items.

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Did you know that you can make an investment in BRCC online?  If you value what BRCC provides to our community, and want to help make a difference for students today, it’s as simple as going to the BRCC Educational Foundation’s homepage at www.brcc.edu/edfound, and clicking on the “Donate Now” button!

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BRCC is once again partnering with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to raise awareness and support for the Food Bank by hosting the 2011 Virginia Hunger Symposium on October 24-27, 2011.  The Virginia Hunger Symposium is a partnership between the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network and Blue Ridge Community College.  The hunger education event was founded in 2007 by current BRCC President, Dr. John Downey, and is geared toward engaging students in ways to fight hunger right in their own backyards. In 2008, the partnership expanded to include community colleges and food banks across Virginia. The event has been a success not only for the food bank, but for BRCC students as well.  Many of the BRCC’s faculty members incorporate hunger education into their coursework—this provides their students with a clear message of how they can play a role in ending hunger in their communities.

Many events ranging from lectures and presentations to benefit dinners and concerts are planned on campus and throughout our community.  Visit the event website (http://community.brcc.edu/vhs/) to view a current schedule of events, and make plans to help our neighbors in need!

Event Highlights

October 27, 2011, 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.
Empty Bowl Dinner
Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center
$15 minimum donation*

October 27, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
Benefit Concert: Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group
Fine Arts Center
$20 minimum donation*

*All proceeds support the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank

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Looking for a way to get the most out of funds in your IRA?

For the rest of 2011, persons over age 70 may make tax-free withdrawals up to $100,000 from their IRAs for contribution to Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation.  This gift will avoid income tax usually levied on withdrawals from your IRA, while allowing you to benefit our local community in your own way.

To qualify, the withdrawal must be

•    Made payable direct to the BRCC Educational Foundation, Inc., rather than to you.
•    Made by December 31, 2011.
•    Be no more than $100,000.00.

This withdrawal also counts toward your mandatory distribution for 2011, freeing you from taxes on that withdrawal, as well.   Persons who do not need their mandatory distribution for living expenses have found much satisfaction in giving this withdrawal to BRCC instead.

Help bring education and opportunity to your fellow citizens, while reducing your taxes.   A stronger BRCC means a better community for everyone.  To create a legacy for your community using your IRA, including a ready-made letter that will arrange the transfer, please contact Amy Kiger, Executive Director of the BRCC Educational Foundation, at kigera@brcc.edu, or (540) 453-2211.

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John S. Barret Jr.

John Barret is the VP of Finance & Systems, CFO and Corporate Secretary at the Rockingham Group.  Prior to joining Rockingham Group he worked in banking and was the CFO of Bank of America’s retail credit card business.  He holds a BBA from JMU and a MS-Finance from VCU.  He has served on the boards of the United Way, Rotary and the Harrisonburg Education Foundation.  He serves on the board of the National Conference of Insurance Guaranty Funds where he chairs the Corporate Governance Committee.  Additionally, he is a member of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Company’s Accounting and Investment Policy Committee.  He lives in Rockingham County with his wife.  His son is a recent VT graduate and his daughter is a BRCC graduate and senior at VCU.

Alphonso P. Boxley III

Al Boxley owns and operates eight McDonald’s restaurants in the central Shenandoah Valley.  In 1977, he left American Safety Razor to pursue a dream of being in his own business by becoming a  McDonald’s owner operator in Luray. From there he spent 18 years in the Western Maryland area owning and operating 12 restaurants and in 1997, he returned to the valley and lives on the family farm. Al holds a BS in Business Administration from Virginia Tech, and a MBA from JMU.  He is a member of the Harrisonburg, Woodstock and New Market Chambers of Commerce.  Al has actively served on the boards of Boy Scouts of America, Frostburg State University Foundation, Chancellor’s Advisory Council of the University of Maryland System, Allegany Community College, Sacred Heart Hospital, WVPT Public Television, and the Industrial Development Authority, Augusta County.  Al and his wife Dale live in the Stuarts Draft area and have three children and five grandchildren.

Denise E. Dawson

D.D Dawson serves as the Director of Finance and Technology for Harrisonburg City Public Schools, a diverse school division with over 4,500 students.  She has been with the school division for 15 years, and prior to that taught high school in Rockingham County Schools.  She has a B.S. degree from James Madison University in education and a M.S. degree from James Madison University in secondary education.  D.D serves as a member of the BRCC College Board in addition to her position on the BRCC Educational Foundation Board.  She lives in Harrisonburg with her husband, Tom.

Thomas C. Mendez

Tom Mendez is Vice President of BB&T Insurance Services where he provides risk management and insurance consulting services to businesses throughout the state. Tom is Past-Chairman of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce and served on the Harrisonburg City School Board for eight and a half years.   He has also been a member of the Harrisonburg Education Foundation as well as the Massanutten Technical Center Foundation.  Mr. Mendez is currently the chairman of the Vision 2020 Leadership Board, co-chair of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham United Way Campaign, and a member of the Harrisonburg Rotary Club.  Tom and his wife, Lori, reside in Harrisonburg and are the proud parents of six children.

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Community college alumni are unique in that their educational goals and time spent at BRCC may differ from four-year school graduates.  For many, attending BRCC is the stepping stone before transferring to a four-year institution where they will achieve their bachelor’s degree.  For others, BRCC provides a convenient opportunity to complete a course that will enhance their employability or serve a personal interest.  And for some, BRCC will be their final educational destination as they obtain a certificate or associates degree to jumpstart their career and enter the workforce.  In each of these cases, the student makes a connection with Blue Ridge Community College that will prove valuable to them and their future.

The BRCC Educational Foundation Board of Directors recognizes the importance of connecting with our alumni and sharing their success stories.  As a result, over the next few months, efforts will be made to locate “lost” alumni and to obtain contact information for them.  It is the Foundation’s goal to conduct an alumni survey and to use the results to develop an alumni relations program for Blue Ridge Community College.

Alumni profiles and personal testimonials about their experiences at BRCC will be shared in future issues of the Community Link newsletter.  Watch for exciting ways alumni can stay involved with Blue Ridge Community College!

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