By Katherine Calos, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va.
Jan. 13--A record-breaking $190,000 for the Richmond Symphony was raised by the 2012 Richmond Symphony Orchestra League Designer House, Pinifer Park, the 16th designer house presented since 1984.
Nearly 7,000 guests toured the house during the monthlong event that opened Sept. 10.
More than 1,000 community volunteers helped with house tours, the boutique, the cafe, the raffle, the gala and numerous special events, all of which contributed to the fundraising total. A wedding and reception on the grounds was a first in the history of Symphony Designer House events.
Foundation provides $300,000 to Bike Walk RVA
Sports Backers will receive $300,000 over three years from the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation to fund the Bike Walk RVA program.
The grant will support hiring a Bike Walk RVA director to lead the effort to make greater Richmond more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly, as well as developing a regional bike summit and open-streets event each year.
Seven area schools among Get Active, Get Fit winners
Seven schools in the Richmond metro region are among the 25 winners in the Get Active, Get Fit School Challenge from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Radio Disney AM 1290.
Winning elementary schools -- Bellevue and J.E.B. Stuart in Richmond; Gayton, Skipwith and Twin Hickory in Henrico County; David A. Harrison in Prince George County and Acquinton in King William County -- will receive a live dance party hosted by Radio Disney.
To complete the challenge, students had to be active for a minimum of 40 of the 55 days during the event last fall.
"The true purpose of Get Active, Get Fit is to get kids up off of the couch, and outside playing and being active," said C. Burke King, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. "We are very pleased with the large number of children who participated and hope that programs like this can show kids how easy it can be to make a healthy, active lifestyle part of their daily routine."
AT&T supports Hispanic chamber's education effort
The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation received $30,000 from AT&T for its "Passport to Education" project.
The program is designed to keep Hispanic students engaged in high school by offering mentoring, workshops and an education-focused Web portal that will be developed with the contribution from AT&T, said Michel Zajur, president and CEO of the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
"Some students need extra support to help keep them engaged in school," said Vince Apruzzese, regional vice president, AT&T-Virginia. "Our support of the Passport to Education program will create a pathway to success for Virginia students."
UR awarded $77,200 student research grant
The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation has awarded University of Richmond a three-year, $77,200 Beckman Scholars grant for faculty-mentored student research. It is the third consecutive Beckman Scholars award to the university since 2006.
Four Beckman Scholars will receive $19,300 each to support research in a faculty mentor's laboratory. Scholars will work at least 10 hours each week during the academic year and full time during two 10-week summer terms. Funds also cover travel and lab supplies.
"Our ability to remain competitive in the Beckman Foundation's very intense review of science programs at the nation's best colleges and universities is a testament to our students' talent and faculty's mentorship, productivity and enthusiasm for undergraduate research," said Carol Parish, professor of chemistry and director of Richmond's Beckman Foundation program.
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