$25,000 in Cox Charities Grants Awarded to Three Non-Profits in Roanoke: Apple Ridge Farm, CHIP, and Smart Beginnings

ROANOKE, Va., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The following non-profit organizations have won grants totaling $25,000 through Cox Charities -- the philanthropic arm of Cox Communications:

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110131/PH38687 )

• Apple Ridge Farm
• Chip Health Investment Partnership (CHIP)
• Smart Beginnings of Roanoke Valley

A formal grant presentation ceremony was held January 27 at the Cox Communications headquarters in Roanoke. "Cox values the work of the service organizations in the region. We recognize that through their hard work, and commitment, huge differences are made in our community every day. We are so pleased to support the work of these three great organizations," said Kim Stanley, Cox Vice President of Operations in Roanoke."

Following are descriptions of the 2010 Cox Charities grant winners, and the amounts of the grants requested by each organization:

• Apple Ridge Farm has been awarded a $10,000 grant. The mission of Apple Ridge Farm is to provide educational experiences for at-risk youth. Through programs such as their Reading Adventure and Aspire Programs, Apple Ridge Farm has been able to make a substantial difference in the Roanoke Valley region for many years.

• CHIP has been awarded a $5,000 grant. CHIP's mission is to provide support including developmental education services to underserved youngsters. CHIP of Roanoke Valley offers a comprehensive early childhood home visiting and education program.

• Smart Beginnings of Roanoke Valley has been awarded a $10,000 grant. Smart Beginnings works to ensure that every child in the Greater Roanoke region enters kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed in school and in life. Through their research, Smart Beginnings highlights the fact that almost 90% of the brain's development occurs before the age of 5, making these years the most critical for education and the foundation for all future learning.

Philanthropy through Cox Charities:

Cox Charities awards grants annually. Cox Charities is open to qualifying organizations that provide education programs which further the academic achievement and development of young people through science and technology, mentoring, literacy and other areas promoting youth education.

An Advisory Committee of distinguished representatives selected the winning organizations. Criteria used in selecting the winning submissions, included (but was not limited to): how well the applicant demonstrated a pressing need; how well the applicant demonstrated use of innovation or creative techniques in service delivery; and how well the applicant demonstrated the ability to replicate and sustain the program.  

The Cox Charities Advisory Committee is comprised of community and business leaders. Cox Charities Advisory Committee members, based in Roanoke, are as follows:

• Beth Doughty, Executive Director, Roanoke Regional Partnership
• Frank Rogan, President and CEO, United Way of Roanoke Valley
• Dr. Robert Sandel, President, Virginia Western Community College
• Kim Stanley, Vice President Operations, Cox Communications

For more information on the 2011 grant awards winners and how to apply for a grant, please visit to www.coxcharities.org.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a multi-service broadband communications and entertainment company with more than 6.2 million total residential and commercial customers.  The third-largest cable television company in the United States, Cox offers an array of advanced digital video, high-speed Internet and telephony services over its own nationwide IP network, as well as integrated wireless services.  Cox Business is a full-service, facilities-based provider of communications solutions for commercial customers, providing high-speed Internet, voice and long distance services, as well as data and video transport services for small to large-sized businesses.  Cox Media offers national and local cable advertising in traditional spot and new media formats, along with promotional opportunities and production services.  Cox Communications wholly owns and operates the Travel Channel.  More information about the services of Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com, www.coxbusiness.com, and www.coxmedia.com.  In Hampton Roads, Cox has more than 400,000 basic cable subscribers.

SOURCE Cox Communications