The Community Foundation
of Fort Valley

The Community Foundation of Fort Valley (CFFV) has taken some big steps this year. The Foundation received a large anonymous gift in March of 2006 and made its first grant from the Unrestricted Fund in May. The grant was to the Kay Community Service Center, a center for adults with disabilities, and helped fund a four-day trip to New Orleans for 13 people, including Special Olympics athletes who were competing in the USA Volleyball Tournament. “The grant helped us with transportation, housing, entry fees, and some meals,” said Todd Youngblood, Executive Director of the Center. “Our team came in second, out of 10 U.S. teams, and the group got to see Bourbon Street, the French Quarter, and some of the devastating results of Hurricane Katrina.” One trip led to another, and the Kay Center group also went to Atlanta, where they placed third in a competition held at Emory University. Youngblood added, “The Foundation is making a big difference in the community. For us, the big thing is that it gives us the opportunity to do some things we probably wouldn’t be able to do with our annual budget. This was an opportunity to travel somewhere we never would be able to go otherwise.”

Dr. John Dubriel is the Board Chairman of CFFV, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. He said he and other Board members chose the Kay Center because they wanted to reward an organization the entire community supports. “And this looked like a good one,” he said. “The young man who runs the Center does a terrific job. Basically we felt it would be good publicity for the community and helpful to them.” The Board would eventually like to see a formal grant process put in place, he added.

The CFFV Board also hosted a dinner in the spring and has received encouraging comments from local community leaders. “We wanted to re-introduce the Foundation to the community, so we invited some supporters and potential donors to meet with us at Massee Lane,” said Dr. Dubriel, head of the Mathematics Department at Fort Valley State College. “CFFV is doing great things for the citizens of Fort Valley, and the Foundation Board wants to make sure they continue to tell their success stories. We’ve had some good feedback, and we’re hopeful the support will continue long into the future.”

For additional information regarding the Community Foundation of Fort Valley, please call 478-750-9338.