A bank has furthered its commitment to helping those with special needs improve their lives with horses, and donors to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation had an exclusive visit with Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade. Many local students received scholarships from the Peninsula Community Foundation of Virginia, while Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency and Chesapeake Financial Shares Inc. have named new leaders.
Monarch Bank Supports Dream Catchers Therapeutic Horseback Riding
For the second year, Monarch Bank is the auction sponsor of the 2014 Bridles & Bow Ties fundraising event, which supports therapy programs on horseback at Dream Catchers at the Cori Sikich Therapeutic Riding Center. The bank donated $3,500 this year, and already pledged the same amount for the 2015 event.
“Dream Catchers provides a life-changing experience to so many who live right here in our own backyard of Hampton Roads,” said Bernie Ngo, Williamsburg President of Monarch Bank, in a news release. “It’s a great joy for us to help Dream Catchers continue such meaningful work in our community.”
Dream Catchers, a nonprofit organization, hosts more than 120 therapeutic riding lessons every week to help children and adults with special needs reach their potential.
Executive Director Nancy Paschall thanked Monarch Bank for their support in a news release.
“We have so many students to serve and such a donation allows us to focus on delivering the experience we want for each of them,” she said.
Revolutionary Intrigue Event at Jamestown Settlement Features Fox News Personality
On June 5, The 1607 Society and leadership donors to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown were invited to an evening of Revolutionary espionage and intrigue.
Members of the society, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation’s premier annual giving group, met Fox News personality Brian Kilmeade, who discussed and signed copy of his best-selling book “George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution.” After his presentation and a reception, Kilmeade joined the Yorktown Victory Center’s historical interpreters for an artillery firing demonstration.
Peninsula Community Foundation Awards Scholarships to Local Students
Several of the area’s recent graduates are having the next step in their education supported by the Peninsula Community Foundation of Virginia. The foundation awarded more than $25,000 in assistance from nine of their 60 funds designed for scholarships.
The local students who received 2014 scholarships are listed below.
Winners of the Peninsula Scholarship, established in 2013 with an endowment of almost $1 million by Carolyn Pendleton Lackey, a Fort Monroe librarian for more than 40 years:
- Kevin Mastracci of York High
- Austin Hehir of Tabb High
Winner of the Ferguson Scholarship, provided for children of Ferguson Enterprises employees:
- Hannah Dowdy of Warhill High
Winners of the York Foundation for Public Education Fund Scholarships, managed by PCFV:
- Rachel Deyerle of Tabb High, Thomas W. Doggins Memorial Scholarship
- Kevin Mastracci of York High, Arthur Lee Galloway, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
- Kiran Bagalkotkar of Tabb High, Joseph H. Levi Memorial Scholarship
- Seth Dawson of York High, Michael J. Tylavsky, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
- Marisa Deschenes from Tabb High, Julie M. Sager Memorial Scholarship
New Head Start Director at WJCC Community Action Agency
Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency has appointed Patricia Banks as its new Head Start director. Banks, who was Head Start director for the agency from 2000 to 2009, has also worked as a program specialist with the federal office for the program.
Banks holds a master’s degree from North Carolina Central University and certification from the UCLA Johnson & Johnson Leadership Institute and Georgetown University’s Government Affairs Institute Congressional Operations Seminar, and is also a Certified Family Educator.
Chesapeake Financial Shares Announces Management Changes
Titles are shifting at Chesapeake Financial Shares Inc., the parent company of both Chesapeake Bank and Chesapeake Investment Group.
Starting July 1, John H. Hunt II will transition from his current duties as Chief Financial Officer to be an executive vice president and business development officer for Chesapeake Investment Group. Hunt has been with CFS for 35 years.
In a news release Jeffrey M. Szyperski, chairman of the board and CEO, commended Hunt’s management of CFS’s investment portfolio and understanding of retirement and estate planning.
“These skills transfer well into his new role within CIG,” Szyperski said. “Additionally, this also allows us organizationally to keep his vast experience and institutional knowledge inhouse.”
To fill his shoes, Rebecca A. Foster will become chief financial officer of CFS and all subsidiaries. Foster has been with CFS for 19 years and held previous positions of internal auditor, money desk manager and investment officer, as well as assistant corporate secretary.
“I am also looking forward to working more closely with Becky as our organization continues to grow and adapt to a changing financial services landscape,” Szyperski said. “It is a ‘best of all worlds’ scenario and one that has been a part of our long-term succession plan.”
