ISSUED: 28 September 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Dana Costa
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — WISH, a women’s giving circle sponsored by the Shepherd University Foundation, awarded four grants totaling $125,000 collectively to community nonprofits Berkeley County Meals on Wheels and Shenandoah Community Health Foundation, and Shepherd learning projects College of Business Analytics Lab and Shepherd University Lifelong Learning on Sunday, September 19, in Erma Ora Byrd Hall. The event was sponsored by alumni John Wolff, managing director at Wealthspire Advisors, LLC, and his wife, Lisa Wolf.
Nonprofit recipient Berkeley County Meals on Wheels provides meals throughout the county to more than 200 seniors and other homebound individuals weekly. The program, which depends mainly on volunteers, has nearly tripled in the last few years and provides almost 60,000 meals annually. The WISH funding will allow the purchase of much-needed equipment including an oven, refrigerator, freezers, and other miscellaneous items.
“Berkeley County Meals on Wheels is truly grateful to WISH for this funding opportunity, which will enable our existing kitchen to upgrade and replace aging and outdated equipment,” said Dianne Waldron, executive director, who noted that this is the organization’s 50th year as a community resource.
“Food insecurities fueled by the COVID pandemic, along with the rapid growth of Berkeley County, has expanded the demand for our program,” Waldron said. “We are proud to partner with WISH to make it easier for our staff to provide this vital service to countless seniors for many years to come.”
The Shenandoah Community Health Foundation is the second nonprofit recipient. The Community Access to Resources for Everyone (CARE) Project addresses the need to provide affordable OB-GYN services to thousands of Shenandoah Valley women, most of whom are low-income. The WISH Grant funding will allow Shenandoah Community Health to replace out-of-date equipment and procure additional equipment to meet the growing demand for women’s’ health services.
“Shenandoah Community Health Foundation is honored to receive this award,” said Tina Burns, director of resource development. “The facility, which provided OB-GYN care for over 6,700 patients at its Martinsburg and Winchester offices in 2020, is grateful to WISH members for their votes of confidence. This grant will benefit women directly by increasing access to health care, enhancing continuity of care and patient satisfaction, and reducing costs of care.”
The College of Business Analytics Lab, headed by Dr. Ben Martz, interim provost, and Dr. Kathleen Reid, interim College of Business dean, is one of the 2021 Shepherd learning project grants. In order to prepare students for data-driven analytics careers, the WISH grant will help bring the current lab into a state-of-the-art facility. It will include moveable tables, multi-screen capability, upgraded internet access, high-quality video displays that will provide the infrastructure to support the visualization of charts and dashboard information, and the ability to handle increased technology needs created by more powerful analytics software.
“The proposal funds not simply a lab upgrade, but also the development of a classroom to showcase how Shepherd understands that, in today’s world, students must become more information literate,” said Martz. “We see this grant as enabling opportunities. For Shepherd, we have a technology-enhanced analytics lab; for faculty, we have a customizable learning classroom; for students, we have an environment in which analytical and quantitative skills integrate with a well-rounded curriculum and the start of a knowledge-based career.”
The Lifelong Learning Program, located in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education, is dedicated to offering stimulating academic courses and activities to the community. Through the second Shepherd learning project WISH grant, the Lifelong Learning program will be able to transform classrooms into state-of-the-art hybrid learning centers that allow both remote and onsite learners to participate in programs in a seamless and inclusive way. This hybrid model, created through the purchase of multiple pieces of technology, will address the needs magnified during the COVID pandemic and allow students to attend classes and engage with each other and the instructor simultaneously, whether in-person or remotely.
“The Lifelong Learning Program is honored to receive a WISH grant for hybrid technology and a hearing induction loop,” said Karen Rice, director of continuing education and lifelong learning. “Not only will lifelong learners benefit from the technology upgrades, but so will Shepherd University students, faculty, and the community that use the Byrd Center.”
Almost 100 WISH members and guests were on hand to celebrate the grant awardees, including WISH member Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix, Shepherd president.
“As a member of WISH, I was thrilled to review the ballot—and was most impressed with the outstanding programs created by the finalists,” said Hendrix, who shared her excitement about casting her own vote to invest in success. “I am truly looking forward to hearing from the recipients about the impact of our funding.”
WISH was created to inspire, educate, and develop the amazing potential of women’s philanthropy through high-impact grant-making. Members combine their $500 annual contribution, which is then divided into two grant pools: one for Shepherd learning programs and one for community nonprofits. A one-woman, one-vote process determines the grant recipients in each category. Membership for 2021 is being accepted until December 31.
To learn more about becoming a member of WISH or about the organization, visit the WISH website or contact Meg Patterson at 304-876-5021 or mpeterso@shepherd.edu.
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