Seven Local Organizations Awarded $65,000 in Cox Charities Grants

CHESAPEAKE, Va., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The following seven non-profit organizations have won grants totaling $65,000 from Cox Charities -- the philanthropic arm of Cox Communications:

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110131/PH38729 )

• An Achievable Dream
• ARC of the Virginia Peninsula
• Chip Health Investment Partnership (CHIP)
• Foodbank of SEVA
• Hunton YMCA
• Marilyn & Simon Family Jewish Community Center
• Peninsula Council for Workforce Development

The grants were awarded on January 28, 2011 at the Cox Communications headquarters in Chesapeake. "There were many organizations applying for grants this year. The Advisory Committee had a tough job in choosing the top applicants. Particularly in these economic times, the work that these organizations are doing is so very important to the long-term health and vitality of our region," said Gary McCollum, Cox Senior Vice President and General Manager. "I applaud these groups and am so pleased that each has received a Cox Charities grant."

Following are descriptions of the organizations and the amounts of the grants received:

Hampton Roads-Peninsula

• An Achievable Dream has won a $10,000 grant. This organization provides academic education, a social foundation, and a safe haven for children of poverty.
• ARC of VA Peninsula has won a $10,000 grant. This organization provides educational and other support to individuals with developmental and other disabilities; they have been operating for more than 55 years.
• Peninsula Council for Workforce Development has received a $10,000. This organization, through its Youth Workforce Center at New Horizons Regional Education Centers, offers an array of services for at-risk youths ages 14-21 on the Greater Peninsula.

Hampton Roads-Southside

• CHIP has won a $10,000 grant. CHIP's mission is to provide support including developmental education services which promotes the health and well-being of underserved children.
• Foodbank of SEVA has received a $10,000 grant. One of the many programs of the Foodbank is its Kids Cafe Program; this program offers safe, nurturing locations for youngsters to get a hot meal as well as assistance with homework.
• Hunton YMCA has received a $10,000 grant. Through programs such as Young Achievers; Boys to Young Men; and the Learning Academy, the Hunton YMCA offers sustained resource assistance for youngsters within the City of Norfolk.
• Marilyn & Simon Family Jewish Community Center has received a $5,000 grant. This amount will fund its "Be A Reader" (BEAR) program that joins volunteers with underserved youth and works to enhance the reading skills of young people.

Philanthropy through Cox Charities:

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

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 sustainability of the program as well as the ability for their program to be replicated.

An Advisory Committee of distinguished representatives selected the winning organizations. The Advisory Committee is comprised of community and business leaders. Cox Charities Advisory Committee members based in Hampton Roads are as follows:

• Beatriz Amberman, Chair, Virginia Latino Advisory Board
• Golden H. Bethune-Hill, Hampton Roads Business Leader
• The Honorable John A. Cosgrove, Delegate, Virginia General Assembly
• Mr. Robert W. Mathieson, Hampton Roads business leader
• The Honorable Yvonne B. Miller, Senator, Virginia General Assembly
• The Honorable G. Glenn Oder, Delegate, Virginia General Assembly
• Jagdish A. Singh, President of Citizens First and Member of Virginia Council on Human Rights
• The Honorable Ronald A. Villanueva, Delegate, Virginia General Assembly
• The Honorable William E. Ward, Former Mayor, City of Chesapeake
• Edith G. White, President/CEO, Urban League of Hampton Roads
• Gary McCollum, Cox Virginia Senior Vice President and General Manager
• Leigh Woisard, Cox Virginia Vice President Public Affairs
• Scott Sale, Cox Virginia Director Business Operations

Cox Charities is funded by Cox Communications, it business partners and vendors as well as its 3,000 Cox Virginia employees.   For more information on the 2011 grant awards program and how to apply for a grant, visit www.coxcharities.org or call Felicia Blow at (757) 222-8432.

About Cox Communications:

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wireless services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves more than 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; for five years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity, and the company holds a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

SOURCE Cox Communications