On March 21st, KOVAR presented the Honoree plaque to E.W. Thomas Grocery Store, Palmyra,Va. They were the Honoree for Grant 16-21, Innisfree
Village.

Pictured below are 2 of the owners (left to right): Linda Dewar, Ed
Seroskie (KOVAR) and Beth Thomas.

Worthies, we really need to get the word out about this concert and the funds it could raise for KOVAR!

March 27, 2016.

Contact: Benjamin Cox, 571-345-8462, uss_ranger@hotmail.com, Chancellor, Knights of Columbus St. Francis Council #11136, Purcellville, VA

(Purcellville, VA) Mark Forrest, world renowned Irish tenor, will conduct a fundraising concert to benefit Virginians with intellectual disabilities on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. The St. Francis Council of the Knights of Columbus will host this inspirational concert at its new parish hall at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville.

A native of Dublin and a graduate of the Royal College of Music, Mr. Forrest’s melodic voice has filled concert halls and cathedrals from Carnegie Hall to the Vatican as he performed inspirational hymns, Celtic songs and Broadway tunes. “I know no better performer to raise funds for persons with intellectual disabilities,” said Dennis Godfrey, president of the KOVAR, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of Virginians with intellectual disabilities and the second largest supporter of this community after the Commonwealth of Virginia. KOVAR lends money to build and support group homes; funds employment training, and, among other things, provides recreational opportunities for the intellectually disabled. “His commitment to the intellectually disabled is compelling,” Mr. Godfrey said.

Mr. Forrest notably sang for Pope Francis during his recent visit and at the funeral of Ben Bradlee, editor of the Washington Post. Doors will open at 6pm with a wine and cheese reception for patrons to enjoy followed by the concert at 7pm. Tickets are $25 in advance ($35 at the door). A limited number of VIP tickets also are available. Purchase tickets by contacting Jay Hallam at kovarconcert@gmail.com

February 25, 2016

Contact: Benjamin C. Cox, 571-345-8462, uss_ranger@hotmail.com, Chancellor, Knights of Columbus St. Francis Council #11136, Purcellville, VA

(Purcellville, VA) Mark Forrest, world renowned Irish tenor, will conduct a fundraising concert to benefit Virginians with intellectual disabilities on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. The St. Francis Council of the Knights of Columbus will host this inspirational concert at its new parish hall at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville.

A native of Dublin and a graduate of the Royal College of Music, Mr. Forrest’s melodic voice has filled concert halls and cathedrals from Carnegie Hall to the Vatican as he performed inspirational hymns, Celtic songs and Broadway tunes. “I know no better performer to raise funds for persons with intellectual disabilities,” said Dennis Godfrey, president of the KOVAR, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of Virginians with intellectual disabilities and the second largest supporter of this community after the Commonwealth of Virginia. KOVAR lends money to build and support group homes; funds employment training, and, among other things, provides recreational opportunities for the intellectually disabled. “His commitment to the intellectually disabled is compelling,” Mr. Godfrey said.

Mr. Forrest notably sang for Pope Francis during his recent visit and at the funeral of Ben Bradlee, editor of the Washington Post. Doors will open at 6pm with a wine and cheese reception for patrons to enjoy followed by the concert at 7pm. Tickets are $25 in advance ($35 at the door). A limited number of VIP tickets also are available. Purchase tickets by contacting Jay Hallam at kovarconcert@gmail.com

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KOVAR awarded a grant of $15,000 to Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond (DSAGR). The funds will provide thirty scholarships of $500 each for after school activities such as lessons in music, dance, and taekwondo. The grant was awarded in honor of Mr. Andy Cox, a member of KofC Joseph P. Solari Council #11172 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Glen Allen.

Photo (left to right): Terri Lancaster, DSAGR Executive Director, Mr. Andy Cox, Member of KofC Council #11172, Kim Owens, DSAGR Education Director, and Mr. Eddie Whitlock III, Member of KOVAR Board of Directors.

A KOVAR grant was recently issued to Rappahannock Rapidan Community Service board.

Photo (left to right): Brian Duncan, Executive Director of RRCSB, Alan Anstine, Chairman, Board of Directors of RRCSB, and Ed Seroskie, Sr., member of the KOVAR Board of Directors.

Description of Grants: Rappahannock Rapidan Community Service Board, Remington Home Corporation, Orange Group Home Corporation, and Developmental Housing Corporation recently received grants from KOVAR for a total of $60,800. The funds were used to replace furniture, appliances, and flooring in five group homes, as well as repair a parking lot at one of the homes.

According to the United Cerebral Palsy Case for Inclusion, Virginia ranks forty-first out of all fifty states and the District of Columbia in how well State Medicaid programs serve Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. States are ranked in four categories: promoting independence; promoting productivity (as evidenced by satisfactory lives and valued social roles); keeping families together and reaching those in need; and tracking health, safety, and quality of life. In addition to its low ranking, the report concludes that 6,672 Virginians are on a waiting list for residential services.

Please follow the link below for further information:

http://www.larcheusa.org/2016/01/larche-usa-to-open-two-new-communities-2/?utm_source=Received+Email+re%3A+Open+Positions&utm_campaign=Lenten+Prayers&utm_medium=email

Grants Awarded in the 2015 Calendar Year

Please see the attached list of grants KOVAR awarded from January 2015. This list will be added to kovarva.org and updated regularly after each grant is awarded.

Happy New Year!