Runners on the POPSICLE 5K RUN route through Mocksville.

On the first chilly Saturday in February, more than 200 people came out to support the S.U.R.F. Board Youth Grantmakers at the first annual POPSICLE 5K RUN! Runners traveled from all over the triad to participate. Upon arrival, participants were given a race t-shirt, goody bag and, in the spirit of the race, a popsicle. Before the race began, Cassidy Webb, S.U.R.F. Board member, welcomed everyone and gave a special “thank you” to the sponsors for the race. She mentioned the directional signs posted along the route with the sponsors’ logos. Cassidy encouraged the crowd to support these local businesses as they had been so generous in supporting young people in Davie County.

Lawson Stancil, 1st place winner.

“On your mark, get set, go!” Runners took off at Rich Park and traveled down Cemetery Street. As they passed the starting line, Taylor Nelson, S.U.R.F. Board member, excitedly passed off popsicles to runners. Many runners also chose to brave the cold and eat a popsicle at the half-way point. The course ran down North Main Street, onto West Church Street, and back to the Park through Park Avenue. After only 19 minutes and 15 seconds, the first place winner, Lawson Stancil, passed the finish line! Nelson Russ came across five seconds later and William Young came in third place at 19 minutes and 59 seconds. Volunteers stood at the finish line cheering incoming runners. Food donated by local businesses helped make the post-race experience even better for the participants. When the results came in, three S.U.R.F. Board members, Stephen and Robert Daniel and Cassidy Webb, had the honor of awarding medals to the first place male and female winners in each age category.

The crowd on February 4th at Rich Park.

The POPSICLE 5K RUN was truly a community effort. A great number of volunteers, sponsors, community members, and runners helped to make this event fun for all and a successful fundraiser. The S.U.R.F Board raised over $5,000 for their grantmaking fund! Over the past several years, the board has awarded grant money to youth-led projects which have focused on various needs including bullying awareness, food and clothing for those in need, and laptops for use by students without computers at home. The Board has also invested their time into packing bookbags at A Storehouse for Jesus and hosting after-school mentoring activities for youth at Central Davie Academy. The money raised from the POPSICLE 5K RUN will go to support other youth-led projects in Davie County. To apply for a grant from the S.U.R.F. Board, visit daviefoundation.org/surf. Applications are due February 24th. The Board is excited about the success of their first 5k fundraiser and has already set the date for the second annual POPSICLE 5K RUN. We hope to see you next year on February 2nd for another fun race!

The Craig Woolard Band will be playing outside on the terrace and jazz music will be inside with Matt Kendrick. Many exciting items will be available in the silent and live auctions. We are already working on making this year’s Sounds of Summer the best yet!

Click the photo to enlarge.

• Registration is $20.00 through January 31st and $30.00 beginning February 1st.
• Online registration is open until 6:00pm on Friday, February 3rd.
• Race day registration ($30.00) and packet pick-up for those who pre-registered is 7:30-8:45am on Saturday, February 4th at Rich Park across from Mocksville Elementary School.

Click here to register online. Registration forms are also available at the Davie Community Foundation office at 194 Wilkesboro St., Mocksville; or you can download the form here.

LIKE Davie Community Foundation on Facebook for updates as the race gets closer! For more information on the run and how to register contact Meridith Cheek via phone (336-753-6903) or e-mail (mcheek@daviefoundation.org).

All proceeds support youth-led projects in Davie County through the S.U.R.F. Board Youth Grantmakers. If you dare, take the brain freeze challenge and eat a popsicle at the beginning, middle, and end of the race (not a requirement – just for fun)! The race begins at Rich Park in Mocksville at 9:00am on Saturday, February 4th. For those non-runners who are coming out to support friends and family, the “ZERO K” is available. Pay the registration fee, support the cause, and receive a t-shirt and coffee without having to run a step!

The POPSICLE 5k Run is the first 5k fundraiser hosted by the Davie County S.U.R.F. Board Youth Grantmakers. The board, organized under the Davie Community Foundation, is made up of a group of 18 high school students who wish to better the lives of Davie County young people by awarding grants to support youth-led projects. Proceeds from the POPSICLE 5k Run will go to their grantmaking fund to support these projects. Through S.U.R.F., young people in Davie County are giving back to their community using their time, talents, and treasures. Young people are also being helped in numerous ways through the projects S.U.R.F. funds. You can play a part in empowering young people by joining us on February 4th for the POPSICLE 5k Run!

The program is divided into two subcategories: Adult Literacy and Adult ESL. Adult ESL is the leading subcategory in terms of demand. One of the goals of this program is that eligible students, at the end of the four year program, will take a citizenship test to become American Citizens. This fall, a student passed her citizenship test.

There are other students in the program who, instead of applying for citizenship after becoming fluent in English, decided to pursue higher education. One former student successfully completed a college entrance exam and is currently pursuing a career as a nurse.

Ligia Smith, Davie County Reads coordinator, says that the program has helped participants not only achieve success in the social and academic realms, but also professionally. “The participants have reported being promoted due to being able to communicate better, read and write, and comprehend instructions in English,” said Ligia. Others have reported being able to successfully perform job interviews, and most recently, with the closing of one of the biggest Hispanic employers in Mocksville, the program has new students who are eager to improve their English skills so that they can become more employable in a tough job market.

If you know someone who may benefit from Davie County Reads, call the Davie Family YMCA at (336) 751-9622 for more information.

Phil Fuller, Davie Community Foundation Board chairman, greets guests at the 2011 annual meeting.

Davie Community Foundation hosted its 2011 Annual Meeting in November at the Davie County Public Library. More than 75 guests attended to learn about Foundation activities and report on grant awards. Phil Fuller, Foundation Chairman, welcomed guests and noted that it was the largest gathering for an annual meeting to date. “It is great to have everyone here. We are excited about your involvement and interest in the Foundation,” said Fuller.

Phil introduced Jane Simpson, Foundation President, who gave a report on 2011 community giving. According to Simpson, the Foundation has grown from 7 funds in 2003 to 172 funds in 2011!  Eleven new funds have been opened thus far in 2011 and gifts are up 26% over the same point in time last year, totaling more than $520,000. “Gifts of all sizes have been important to the collection of funds at the Foundation,” said Simpson. “We are seeing more and more projects that involve collective giving where a group of individuals or businesses give to have a larger impact collectively. Touchdowns for Education is a great example where 30 businesses and organizations gave $18,000 collectively for scholarships.”

Jesus and Anthony Olmedo, students from William R. Davie Elementary School, with Principal Rex Allen and teachers Jen Meagher and Diane Ireland.

The focus for competitive grants remained on “Youth and Literacy issues” in 2011 with significant dollars awarded to summer reading camps. Children and parents from four elementary schools reported on the successes of their various camps. Anthony and Jesus Olmedo reported that they “enjoyed William R. Davie’s summer reading camp so much they could not wait for this summer. It will be all about Science. It is going to be EXPLOSIVE!”

Marlene Carter, Chairwoman of Pearls of Empowerment, reported on first year grants made by the ladies in 2010 and reminded guests that 2011 awards totaling $26,700 would be announced later in the week. Pearls of Empowerment is now made up of more than 100 women!

Adilene Ruano, participant in BBBS Girls Empowerment project, and her "Big Sister" Judy Sherrill.

Marlene introduced Adilene Ruano who participated in the Girls’ Empowerment Project hosted this summer by Big Brothers Big Sisters, a Pearls grant recipient. Adilene discussed the topics covered by the program and the real life information it gave to participants. “I thought I knew everything, but this program showed me there was so much more to learn,” said Adilene. After participating in the program, she is exploring college options and ways to pay for it.

Ellie Carter, SURF Board President, gave an update on the activities of the SURF Board during 2011. She outlined the grants made last February and encouraged applications for 2012 funds. Ellie also announced the 2012 fund raiser for the board; the SURF Board POPSICLE 5K Run will be held on February 4, 2012. “We are calling it the Popsicle 5K Run because we will all be frozen when we run in February!” said Carter. She encouraged guests to consider sponsorships and participation!

Board member Gladys Scott talks with Marlene and Ellie Carter.

Phil Fuller wrapped up the evening by thanking volunteers and recognizing and thanking retiring board members Elizabeth Sparks, Ken Lard, and Will Marklin. “You all have provided valuable leadership to the Foundation and you will be missed!” said Fuller. Guests were encouraged to stay to enjoy refreshments, ask the young people questions, and enjoy greeting each other.

Back: Hampton Smith, Salem Carney, Zach Osborne, Scott Gallimore, Sam Linville, Ellie Carter, Cassidy Webb. Middle: Taylor Nelson, Morgan Fuller, Brooke Summers, Bibiana Arroyo, Saul Navarro. Front: Stephen Daniel, Matthew Ellis, Robert Daniel.

The S.U.R.F. Board, a group of 18 high school students who wish to better the lives of Davie County young people, is now accepting applications for grants. The Board learns about philanthropy and the grant-making process by awarding grants each year to youth-led projects which benefit youth. SURF has released this year’s Request for Proposals (RFP), which is being distributed throughout the community and is available here. Projects must:

• Address general issues that impact the youth of Davie County.
• Involve at least two youth in planning & carrying out the project.
• Have an adult ally (21 or older)

This year, the SURF Board made grants to support the Cooleemee clothing closet and soup kitchen, Davie County Young Filmmakers, a tutoring program at the Davie County Early College, and several others. They hope to help support more worthy causes in the year to come. The completed RFP is due to the Davie Community Foundation office by January 27th, 2012.

Pearls of Empowerment is a women’s giving circle with 100 women who have come together to help women and children in Davie County. Each Pearl gives $365 each year; $30 goes to operating costs to help fund the circle, $35 goes to the endowment to ensure the Pearls leave a lasting legacy, and $300 goes directly to grantmaking each year. Last year Pearls of Empowerment awarded grants to Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Advocacy Center, the Dragonfly House, Davie County Health Department, Smart Start, and CareNet Counseling. All the funds stayed here in the county to help women and children through various projects.

The Pearls typically gather as a group three times a year; once for the annual meeting and grant awards and twice for education forums. The social in October was the first meeting with the simple purpose of fun and socialization – and it was a big hit! Appetizers were provided and ladies brought their own beverages. Meg Brown Home Furnishings provided a cozy, comforting place to relax while chatting and browsing the store. As the evening came to a close, Marlene Carter, Pearls of Empowerment chairwoman, spoke to the group for a moment before three door prizes were drawn. A certificate for a wardrobe makeover, a lamp from Meg Brown, and a Pearls of Empowerment t-shirt were given away to three lucky ladies. It was an exciting end to an enjoyable evening!

The second annual meeting for Pearls of Empowerment will be held on November 17, 2011. As a result of new Pearls coming on board, there is $26,700 available to give away this year – almost $8,000 more than in 2010! “Like” Pearls of Empowerment on Facebook to stay updated or call 336-753-6903 for more information. All women are invited to be a part of the growing strand of Pearls!

The War Eagles played an impressive game, scoring six touchdowns which equated to $18,000 for the Community Scholarship Fund! Scholarships from this fund are awarded each spring to students from Davie County. Please thank the businesses below when you’re around town; they have shown their support for young people in a big way by being part of the Touchdowns for Education team!

While the football team was working hard on the field, the Foundation board and spouses were hustling around the concession stand. The board and their spouses volunteered to run the home side concession stand as they do each year on Touchdowns for Education night. It was a busy night filling orders of hotdogs, nachos, pizza, and popcorn, but the board kept it up until they ran out of food!

Thank you Touchdowns for Education team members! We hope you and others will join us on the team again in 2012!

Allstate Insurance
Almost Home Childcare
American Cylinder Products
Anderson Aggregates
Bryant Smith, CPA
Caudell Lumber Company
Davie Construction
Davie County Enterprise-Record
Davie Farm Service
DavieLiFE Magazine
Davie RV & Boat Storage
Deano’s Barbecue
East Coast Wings
Fuller Contracting
Fuller Welding
Gene’s Auto Sales
Glen Stanley, Your Hometown Realtor
Grady McClamrock, Attorney at Law
Land-Tek G.M.S. Inc.
Miller Building & Remodeling LLC
North Davie Ruritan Club
Osborne Tire & Automotive
Edwards, Falls & Renegar
Skinny Wheels Bike Shop
Slayton Harpe with Edward Jones Investments
The Tire Shop
Trailers of the East Coast
Webb Heating and A/C
Woodard & Company
Zeko’s

Want to win a $100 VISA gift card?

1) Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/daviefoundation
2) Click “like”
3) Fill out your name and e-mail address in the entry form

Already a fan? Visit our page and click the “Promotion” tab on the left to fill out the entry form.

It’s that easy! Your e-mail address will be used only for contact purposes if you win. The winner will be announced LIVE at the Davie High School homecoming game on September 30th during our Touchdowns for Education announcements!

Sponsors will be listed in the Davie County Enterprise and receive press coverage the night of the game. Call the DCF office at 753-6903 or read this letter from Jane Simpson, Foundation president, to learn more about joining the team!

Are you or your business interested in joining us this year? Print one of the response sheets below, fill out your information, and mail to the Davie Community Foundation. We’re happy to welcome you to the 2011 Touchdowns team! Thank you for your support of Davie County’s students!

Response sheet: PDF version, Word version