Lenoir County Community Foundation Recognizes 2025 Community Grant Recipients at Kinston Rotary Club Meeting
Oct. 9, 2025 – The Lenoir County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation, recognized its 2025 grant recipients at the October 2 meeting of the Kinston Rotary Club.
In July, the advisory board of LCCF awarded nearly $15,000 in grants to seven organizations serving the local community.
At the Rotary meeting, representatives from two of the funded organizations shared how LCCF grants are making a difference in the lives of local children and youth, a key focus for the advisory board this year.
The Lenoir County Community Foundation awarded a $3,300 grant to the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office to support the D.A.R.E. program in local public schools. Now branded as Keepin’ it Real, the program was reinstated after more than 15 years and is led by Deputy Bre McWilliams, who spoke at the Rotary meeting about the importance of early intervention.
McWilliams delivers the program in elementary and middle schools across the county, helping students build awareness and skills around drug and alcohol prevention, bullying, internet safety, and decision-making. The curriculum also fosters leadership and personal responsibility.
The board also awarded a $1,000 grant to Home Health and Hospice Care (3HC) for its Wings Camp, a weekend retreat for children grieving the loss of a loved one. Rachel Turner, patient experience coordinator at 3HC, shared how the camp provided local children with a safe space to process grief alongside trained counselors and peers navigating similar losses. Held in August at Trinity Camp and Conference Center in Pine Knoll Shores, the camp blended traditional activities like games, crafts, and campfires with meaningful emotional support.
“It was a privilege to be able to award grants to these programs and to be able to hear how these programs impact the community for the better,” said Sandy Skirving, advisory board president of the Lenoir County Community Foundation. “As always, I thank the Kinston Rotary Club for hosting us and allowing us to showcase our Foundation and to share our mission.”
Pictured at the Kinston Rotary Meeting, from left: LCCF board member Lee Albritton, Lenoir County Sheriff’s Captain Jovanni Vallagra, LCCF President Sandy Skirving, LCCF board member Betty Blain Worthington, 3HC Patient Experience Coordinator Rachel Turner, LCCF Vice President Ann Cherry, LCCF Grants Chair Laura Pressly, NCCF Eastern Region Program Officer Abbey Lauten. Not pictured: Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers and Deputy Bre McWilliams
Funds for 2025 grants came from LCCF’s community grantmaking fund, the Oakland Fund, and the Warren and Barbara Perry Fund. Each year, LCCF’s advisory board uses dollars from its endowment funds to make grants to eligible local organizations, including nonprofits, local governments, schools and churches.
During the month of November, all contributions to LCCF’s community grantmaking fund will be proportionally matched by NCCF. Visit nccommunityfoundation.org/Lenoir to learn more about LCCF and its work or to make a tax-deductible donation.
Lenoir County Community Foundation Advisory Board Members
Advisory board members are volunteers who live and work in Lenoir County, positioning them to strategically leverage resources, meet local needs and access opportunities. In addition to Skirving, board members include Ann Cherry (vice president), Beth Edwards (secretary), Lee Albritton, Elaine Carmon, Yesenia Cuello, Joe Devane, Billy Glover, John Marston, Lindsay Newman, Jo Parrott, Laura Pressly, James C. Purnell, Jacob Turner and Betty Blaine Worthington.
About the North Carolina Community Foundation
The North Carolina Community Foundation brings together generous people and connects them to causes and organizations they care about, with a focus on inspiring lasting and meaningful philanthropy in the state’s rural communities.
With $460 million in assets, NCCF sustains over 1,300 endowments and partners with donors and a network of affiliates in 60 counties to strengthen our state. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, NCCF makes a powerful impact through a robust grants and scholarships program, awarding over $300 million since 1988.
For more information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org.
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