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Five West Forsyth High School students received scholarship awards from the Shallow Ford Foundation this year. Each scholarship honors an individual who had a positive impact on West Forsyth High School and is the result of generous contributions from individuals and organizations.

As 18 educators were cleaning up their classrooms for the summer, Advisory Board members of the Yadkin County Education Foundation and Shallow Ford Foundation staff popped in with balloons and a ceremonial check to surprise and congratulate them on their Creative Classroom Grant award.

The Shallow Ford Foundation along with local organizations and churches came together for the fourth year in a row to celebrate Yadkin County School personnel at the annual Pack the Park appreciation event held at the Yadkin County Shelter at the Yadkin YMCA on May 29.

Recently retired as Superintendent of Yadkin County Schools, Martin has been a tireless advocate for teachers and students for the past 10+ years.

On Saturday, March 23, students from Starmount High School Forbush High School officially became Shore Scholars.

A buzz of enthusiasm for talent filled the Historic Broyhill on Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day. More than 250 attendees toured the display of 67 pieces from 43 artists and shopped the Magnolia Room, which contained additional works from the artists’ collections. The event was the Bingham Art Series Juried Art Show and Sale, a program of the Shallow Ford Foundation and in partnership with the Muddy River Art Association.

The Historic George Elias Nissen House has been a restoration project of the Lewisville Historical Society since 2008. Saved from demolition, it was relocated to 213 Arrow Leaf Drive, Lewisville, a town-owned property in 2009. 

Shallow Ford Foundation has launched a new fund in collaboration with Yadkin County Schools to provide opportunities for creative classroom grants to teachers and other academic support initiatives. Named the Yadkin County Education Foundation, the fund will provide annual classroom grants from competitive teacher applications for creative instructional projects. The purpose is to assist teachers in accessing resources for instruction that will engage students and inspire and accelerate learning.

The Bingham Arts Series – Christmas Concert was a joy-filled, festive afternoon with a full room of attendees at the Historic Broyhill in Clemmons.

Now in its third year, The Wayne C. Matthews Continuing Education Award will be given to a deserving adult student later this fall. The application deadline for the $2,000 scholarship award is November 20.

The Shallow Ford Foundation is launching a new program — The Bingham Arts Series. The series will feature four events in 2023-2024, offering both visual and performing arts

Seven students from West Forsyth High School received scholarship awards from the Shallow Ford Foundation this year. “On behalf of the foundation, we congratulate these students on the hard work they have already done and the bright future they have started towards,” Shallow Ford Foundation Board Chair Tim Bell said.

On May 20, five students from Starmount High School and four from Forbush High School officially became Shore Scholars. The students, joined by their families, celebrated this accomplishment at Signing Day, held at the Willingham Theater at the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center.

A new child care model created in Yadkin County could expand child care access — especially in rural areas. But there’s no licensing avenue for the model yet. The state Child Care Commission approved a petition on Monday for a rule change to create that avenue.

Fifteen community organizations have been awarded a Shore Community Grant, totaling $108,810. The programs and services will take in 2023. Grants are made possible through the Wayne A. Shore Endowment Fund.

Rev. Dr. Vincent Howell, founding volunteer leader of the Interfaith Alliance of Clemmons and Lewisville (IACL), will retire from his role this month. Howell formed the alliance in 2018 in response to the needs of public school students identified by local school social workers.

Shallow Ford Foundation and family of Tim Dunn launch new scholarship to benefit West Forsyth wrestling program. “What are you going to do today to get closer to your goals?” This question found written on a whiteboard in the bedroom of Timothy Mathew Dunn, gives us a glimpse into the life of this young man. Tim Dunn, at only 31, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 4, 2022, from an undetected aneurysm.

Behind every scholarship is an inspiring life story as is the case of the new Bonnie M. Chappell Memorial Scholarships. Bonnie M. Chappell passed away at 93, having lived a full life that didn’t start out on the most uplifting note. Born in Wilkes County, she was the last of five births. Her mother was struck by lightning when Bonnie was less than a week old and her mother died within the year. Her grandmother, who was of limited means, agreed to take her in and raise her.

The Shallow Ford Foundation has announced the award of seven grants to local organizations bringing programs to the Mary Alice Warren Community Center in 2023. In addition, six grants have been awarded to organizations that serve the needs and interests of Lewisville and Clemmons communities. Funding is from the Lewisville-Clemmons Community Fund and fund partners of the Shallow Ford Foundation.

Nine of the first Shore Scholars have completed the program, with eight (89%) graduating from Surry Community College with an Associate of Arts degree and proceeding on track to a junior year in a 4-year college/university.

The Shallow Ford Foundation sponsored a workshop specifically for individuals serving in the role of mentor as part of a scholarship awarded through the foundation. The workshop was offered on Aug. 9 at Lewisville’s Mary Alice Warren Community Center.

The Shallow Ford Foundation has announced that the 2022-2023 application period for the Shore Community Grants will open on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. An online information session on the grant program will be held at that time as well.

The Shallow Ford Foundation announces the 2022-2023 recipients of the Salem Glenn College Assistance Program, the Mary Elizabeth Dodson Conrad Scholarship, and the Kim and Chris Henson Scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year.

The Shallow Ford Foundation awarded scholarships to six 2022 graduates from West Forsyth High School. Each scholarship is the result of a generous donation from members of the community. Recipients were selected by a committee of volunteers in a process facilitated by foundation staff. Each award, like the student who received it, has their own unique story.

The Shallow Ford Foundation has announced that it will offer The Wayne C. Matthews Continuing Education Award again this year. The $2,000 award will be given to a Yadkin County resident who attends or plans to attend, The Yadkin Campus of Surry Community College to complete a credential-producing program that leads to an in-demand occupation. Applicants may be enrolled full or part-time and must have graduated high in 2021 or earlier.

Marvin’s Garage Doors of East Bend is opening a new and different door – a door of opportunity for a Forbush High School graduating senior. Through the Shallow Ford Foundation, the company has set up a new occupational training scholarship of $1,000 in honor of its founder, Marvin Brown. The scholarship is focused on training for careers in the trades such as electronics, construction, or welding.

Lewisville community center celebrates official opening. Facility named after Mary Alice Warren, who grew up on the property and recently celebrating her 100th birthday. The center, which features meeting, conference and activity rooms along with a full catering kitchen and large covered outdoor patio, will fill the needs of many of the town’s nonprofit organizations and be available for general rental beginning in December. Programs, classes and other activities for the public are scheduled to begin in January.

It has been more than 75 years since the end of World War II. More than 16 million Americans served in the Armed forces in WWII with 405,399 killed and 671,278 wounded. It was common for those who served not to talk about the war after returning home. This is the story of just one of the 405,399 killed and how it affected their loved ones. Jerome (Fritz) Burkel was one of those who returned home a hero, but no longer able to tell his story.

Childcare is an essential part of a vibrant community. Its availability, affordability and quality significantly impact every aspect of family and community life — education, income and employment, health and wellbeing, and even a topic headlining recent news — our supply chain. The childcare shortage is not news for local families with young children. They live with the stress of finding reliable, quality childcare every day.

He’s described as the No. 1 Titan — West Forsyth High School’s biggest fan and supporter. He “bleeds green” and those associated with WFHS football and baseball know him as Coach Murph.

Congratulations to our Fund partner, the Rotary Club of Western Forsyth in raising $41,477 for the Winston-Salem Street School through its Comedy Roast event honoring renowned David Odom.

The Shallow Ford Foundation has been fortunate to work with generous individuals and organizations who want to truly impact the lives of students of all ages. In part two of this series, we will look at how two local organizations are making mentoring connections with students, including an opportunity for new mentors to step forward in the coming months.

When we think of a “mentor,” we might think back to that high school or college educator who taught us more than historical dates and scientific facts. We might think of a coach providing motivation or a fellow church member offering formative advice. A mentor can come in many forms.

Congratulations to Clemmons Food Pantry on their new facility.

The information obtained during the Grant Writing Workshop was invaluable. Mandy Pearce with Funding For Good gave an excellent presentation full of tips and ideas on grant writing.

Yadkin County Rescue Squad & EMS, Inc. has a new, more powerful motor for river rescues. This 30 horsepower Mercury outboard motor recently arrived and was purchased using their 2021 Shore Community Grant. The more powerful engine will allow them to travel upstream to closer take-out points and more quickly reach those in need of water rescue.

The Shallow Ford Foundation (formerly The Clemmons Community Foundation) announces three scholarship recipients this week. Julia Grossnickle and Megan Putnam, both graduates of West Forsyth High School, were awarded Thad and Mary Bingham Education Assistance Awards for Graduating Seniors. Shamonni Graham, from Oak Grove High School, was awarded the Clarence “Big House” Gaines Reynolda Rotary College Assistance Scholarship.

Memory of former Yadkin Center director honored with scholarship. The Shallow Ford Foundation (formerly The Clemmons Community Foundation) has awarded the first Wayne C. Matthews Continuing Education Award to Tyler Church of Jonesville.

The Clemmons Community Foundation has announced it will be changing its name to the Shallow Ford Foundation, effective July 1. The new name is inspired by a historically-renowned shallow location on the Yadkin River that was used to cross the river between Forsyth and Yadkin counties. The name better reflects the broader geography served by the foundation, honors the area’s heritage, and reflects the foundation’s mission of connecting community and local philanthropy to achieve lasting outcomes.

The Clemmons Community Foundation announced three scholarship recipients this week. Adia Redfearn, recipient of The Salem Glen College Assistance Program in memory of Richard ‘Dick’ Bunker. Kaliyah Fryer, recipient of the The Mary Elizabeth Dodson Conrad Scholarship. Melissa Celedon-Garcia, recipient of the The Mary Elizabeth Dodson Conrad Scholarship.

Thanks to Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce for featuring the Shallow Ford Foundation as the 'Nonprofit of the Month" in July. Board members and staff appreciate the Chamber!