Looking to the Future
Happiest of Holidays to you all in Bedford County and beyond! Thanks to you, the Bedford Area Educational Foundation has enjoyed another wonderful year. We welcomed a new Board member, Kelly Graham-Brown, who is a retired educator and community volunteer. We bid farewell to the amazing Sara Braaten, who has retired from the BAEF Board, though she is still remaining connected through her generosity of time, talent and treasure (I am borrowing this phrase from my dear friend Perry Payne Millner). We are grateful for a new relationship with our community partner, Framatome. And, most recently, we are grateful to Rehab Associates of Central Virginia for selecting the Bedford Area Educational Foundation as their non-profit recipient for funds from the Bedford Welcome Center's Festival of Trees. Finally, the BAEF is thrilled to, again, report that September saw the largest number of applications in our 22 year history. During this round alone, we were able to fully or partially fund $20,000 in applications, contributing to the $65,000 we have either granted or pledged in total throughout 2024.
We are incredibly grateful to the Stroobants Foundation for renewing their commitment to the BAEF. We are also so very grateful to the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation, Centra, and the Bedford Community Health Foundation for continuing their support. Without these foundations, our community impact would not nearly be as robust. We encourage you to visit our website to see the wonderful corporate and individual donors who have sustained us...many for over two decades! Without our donors, none of this would be possible.
As 2024 comes to a close, we would appreciate your consideration of a year-end donation to our Annual Fund. In our most recently audited financials, we show that 93% of the dollars we raise go directly toward our community. This rate of return is nearly unheard of. Please consider an investment in the Bedford Area Educational Foundation!
Most Gratefully,
Jay
Dr. Jay White, MSG, CDP
info@bedfordeducation.com
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