BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Beckley Area Foundation (BAF) has announced the awarding of over $425,000 in designated funds.
“A designated fund is established by a donor to benefit a specific charity, or program for a charity. Since the first designated fund was established in 1986, over $6.5 million dollars has been distributed from designated funds.
The City of Beckley, West Virginia’s annual designated distribution was $18,046, made possible by three different funds that have been designated to support their efforts:
The Flying Eagle Economic Development Fund was established in 2002, by Jon A. McBride, Capt. USN/NASA to stimulate or improve the economic conditions in the City of Beckley, WV. Total Distributed Over Time | $104,837.92
The Dr. Matthew Murrill and Lucille C. Ralsten Fund was established in 1986, to maintain Wildwood, the home of General Alfred Beckley, now operated by the city. The fund was started by the Doctors’ Memorial Foundation in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Ralsten. This couple bought Wildwood, and they worked many years on its restoration. Mrs. Ralsten was a great-granddaughter of Gen. Beckley. Total Distributed Over Time | $166,836.78
The Mayor Chuck Shoemaker Municipal Beautification Fund was established by friends following his death in 1988. Income is used for civic beautification projects in Beckley. The fund was created in recognition of the Mayor’s successful efforts to bring beauty to downtown Beckley. Total Distributed Over Time | $54,556.40.
‘The City of Beckley is once again so appreciative of the foresight of those whose names identify the BAF named funds that enhance our future,” said Beckley Mayor Rob Rappold.
‘This year’s Ralsten, Shoemaker and Flying Eagle fund distributions total $18,046 and will be used to further the desired causes.’
Over the next week, BAF will be diving into five more organizations (found in bold letters below) to highlight their service to the community, and which designated funds support them each year.
BAF distributed $425,677 to 64 organizations in our area from designated funds for 2022-2023. The grant awards are as follows:
Alderson-Broadus College $1,486
American Red Cross – Raleigh County, WV $3,054
Animal Control and Welfare Project $2,092
Appalachian Bible College $7,475
AWAY $26,028
Beckley Art Group, Inc. $2,764
Beckley Babe Ruth League, Inc. $761
Beckley Concert Association $10,814
Beckley Dream Center $83
Beckley Little League, Inc. $3,770
Beckley Presbyterian Church $61,942
Beckley-Stratton Middle School $623
Black Diamond Girl Scout Council $2,129
Bluestone Baptist Church $2,017
Bradley-Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department $2,201
Buckskin Council of Boy Scouts of America $2,995
Burlington United Methodist Family Services $404
Children’s Home Society of West Virginia $2,144
City of Beckley $18,046
Concord University Foundation $1,371
Davis Stuart, Inc. $857
Family Crisis Center, Inc. $2,144
Fayette County Public Library $7,259
First Baptist Church $2,863
First Christian Church $2,835
First United Methodist Church $915
Friends of the Beckley Library $1,642
Fuller Center for Housing of Beckley, WV $3,793
Greenbrier Valley Theatre $14,828
Harrah Cemetery Improvement Association $454
Helping Hands Resource Center $22,040
Hospice of Southern West Virginia, Inc. $33,003
Humane Society of Raleigh County $34,280
Just for Kids $15,826
Lillian James Learning Center $533
New River Humane Society, Inc. $1,997
Operation Underdog $2,000
Piney Creek Watershed Association $1,287
Princeton Public Library $620
Raleigh County Board of Education $7,812
Raleigh County Commission on Aging $437
Raleigh County Emergency Housing Center $223
Raleigh County Historical Society $604
Raleigh County Public Library $7,235
Raleigh County Special Olympics $545
Salvation Army $12,595
Southern WV Fellowship Home $2,142
St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church $544
St. Francis De Sales Catholic School $6,778
St. Matthews AME Church $735
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church $6,661
Temple Beth El $2,067
The First Tee of West Virginia $2,149
Theatre West Virginia, Inc. $2,266
Three Rivers Avian Center $1,809
United Methodist Temple $2,459
United Way $4,201
University of Charleston – Beckley $26,167
West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation, Inc. $7,693
Woman’s Club of Beckley $1,144
Woodrow Wilson High School $778
WV Professional Dance Company $600
WVU Extension Services – 4H Youth Development $546
Wyoming County Paw Patrol, Inc. $5,000
YMCA of Southern West Virginia $18,729
Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia $2,383
Those interested in donating to a designated fund may mail contributions to BAF, 1210 S. Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801 or click here. Those interested in starting a designated fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email info@bafwv.org.”