Suffolk60 gives 30

By Lauren Wicks | Suffolk News-Herald

Published Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Suffolk60Care will be providing $30,000 worth of grants to the community.

The women’s service organization announced this week that six organizations in Suffolk would receive aid from the grant process.

“There are so many good things in the community,” said Ashley Greene, president of Suffolk60Care. “We’re grateful to be able to continue to support the community financially.”

This year, ForKids ($8,400), YMCA ($5,700), REACH ($4,050), The Up Center ($5,000), The Salvation Army ($5,000) and the United Way of South Hampton Roads’ Raising a Reader program ($1,850) all have been selected as grant recipients.

Suffolk60Care holds an annual gala to raise money for the grant process. It’s the organization’s biggest fundraiser, and the money raised that night goes to deserving services or agencies throughout the city. Last year, the gala brought in more than $60,000; this year, the gala raked in more than $30,000.

“It has been a tough year for us from the fundraising perspective,” Greene said. “And everyone is feeling those cuts. We are just glad we can still contribute where we can in this economy. But this year, just as in past years, we are honored to be part of as many organizations as we can that are doing good.”

In addition to announcing this year’s grant recipients, this week also heralded the announcement of ForKids as Suffolk 60’s Signature Project — the focus for the year’s volunteer effort.

For the past two years, the Hampton Roads Youth Center served as the S60C Signature Project.

This year, the ForKids Suffolk House will fill that role, meaning the shelter will receive not only the organization’s top funding, but also volunteer resources, as well.

Since S60C was founded five years ago, the mission for the organization has been to provide quality volunteerism by acting as a catalyst for community change, while developing individual potential through leadership.

Greene said the choice of ForKids for this year’s Signature Project was a clear reflection of that mission.

“For us, we’re excited to build and continue a relationship with ForKids of the Suffolk House, because we feel like their needs really match well with our mission at Suffolk 60,” Greene said. “We’re excited about the opportunity to have them as our Signature Project and therefore be able to spend the majority of our time there at the shelter. Of course, we still will be able to continue other volunteer efforts and listen to other requests, but this is an exciting new relationship for us.”