The Obici Healthcare Foundation recently announced the awarding of more than $2.4 million in grants to 33 nonprofit organizations serving Western Tidewater.

“The Foundation Board of Directors and staff are excited by the quality of the programs being offered by this group of grantees committed to providing care in the Foundation’s service area,” said George Y. Birdsong, Foundation chairman.

Award amounts among new and renewed grantees range from $7,500 to $553,363. The private foundation was created in 2006 with assets established through the generosity of Planters Peanuts founder Amedeo Obici and funds from the merger of Louise Obici Memorial Hospital and Sentara Healthcare. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $30 million in grant funding.

“Grants made by the Foundation continue Amedeo Obici’s legacy of improving the health status of people living in the service area,” said Gina Pitrone, Foundation executive director. “Mr. Obici, the founder of Planters Peanuts, was successful in business and passionate about helping the people in Western Tidewater and Gates County, N.C.”

The successful Round 15 grantees are listed below with their organization names, award amounts and program descriptions.

• Albemarle Regional Health Services — $98,240 for Gates County Diabetes Care to reduce morbidity, mortality and costs among pre-diabetics and diabetics residing in Gates County, N.C.
• American Diabetes Association — $70,610 for the expansion of diabetes self-management education to train ambassadors in high health-risk congregations to raise awareness of diabetes and stress the importance of early detection, disease management and health risk factors in Franklin and Southampton County.
• Bon Secours Maryview Foundation — $100,000 for the Care-A-Van to provide free, mobile medical services to the uninsured in Suffolk.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia — $10,000 for the Triple Play Family Challenge to improve the knowledge of children ages 6 to 18 of ways to become healthy with a program that emphasizes healthy eating, stress management, physical fitness and positive peer relationships.
• Chesapeake Service Systems — $20,000 to support a 19-passenger van dedicated to transporting individuals with developmental disabilities to behavioral health care appointments in the Suffolk area.
• City of Suffolk Parks and Recreation — $110,742 to complete a nearly two-mile long walking trail at Lake Meade Park.
• Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation — $82,564 for “Igniting Change: Western Tidewater Healthy Faith and Communities Project” to develop strategies that create policy, systems and environmental changes that will result in more healthy food choices and physical activity in churches, public housing and community organizations.
• Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation — $553,363 to establish a Specialty Care Center that will focus on the detection, prevention and management of diabetes and its most common complications.
• Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia — $50,000 for the Suffolk Healthy Mobile Pantry to support the availability of a variety of healthy foods from the five main food groups; prioritizing and promoting access to and use of these foods by way of tastings, recipes and education, particularly fresh produce to fight hunger and promote health in Suffolk’s food-insecure population.
• ForKids, Inc. — $56,250 for rapid re-housing and emergent medical needs to improve the health of poor and homeless families in Western Tidewater through intensive case management, access to stable housing, permanent supportive housing and referrals to community resources.
• Franklin City Department of Social Services — $40,140 to increase the number of children and families enrolled and renewed in Medicaid and FAMIS.
• Horizon Health Services — $75,000 to provide dental care and smoking cessation services in the Franklin, Southampton, Surry and Sussex service areas.
• Luter YMCA — $60,000 for the Youth Engagement Center to increase physical activity options for children by using interactive fitness equipment that combines fun and entertainment.
• RX Partnership — $25,000 to create a strategy for pursuing and acquiring access to generic medications.
• RX Partnership — $7,500 to provide free prescription medication and low-cost supplies to low-income, uninsured residents served by the Western Tidewater Free Clinic.
• Sentara Obici Hospital — $75,000 to provide life coaches in Sentara Obici Hospital’s Emergency Room who will help uninsured and underinsured patients obtain primary care services or other resources.
• Smart Beginnings Western Tidewater — $10,000 to increase the number of people enrolled in the WIC program in Western Tidewater and increase the number of childcare centers providing healthy and nutritious meals and snacks.
• Southeastern Virginia Health System — $30,000 to receive assistance in preparing a federal grant application for opening of a new comprehensive community health care center in Franklin.
• Suffolk Partnership for a Healthy Community — $45,000 to increase the registration and sustainability of walking groups within Suffolk businesses, schools and daycare centers.
• Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority — $37,500 to raise awareness among residents of public housing communities in Suffolk about the health hazards from exposure to secondhand smoke in public places and reduce the number of smokers
• Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority — $46,034 to help public housing residents become more aware of both the prevention and management of chronic disease.
• Surry Area Free Clinic — $25,000 to develop a strategic plan that will establish timelines, priorities and approaches for fund development and create a plan for recruiting and retaining volunteers.
• Genieve Shelter — $35,000 to build the capacity of the Development Coordinator to encourage community participation and financial support for the shelter’s programs and special events.
• The Planning Council — $8,023 for a continuum of care coordinator to develop and submit federal and state grant applications that ensure access to housing, health care and support services to homeless families in Western Tidewater.
• Virginia Cooperative Extension — $25,000 for the Suffolk Good Food for Good Health Mobile Farmers Market to develop a plan that teaches low-income Suffolk residents how to access, cook and eat healthy, locally grown produce and livestock products to prevent obesity and future health issues.
• Virginia Dental Association Foundation — $45,000 for the Suffolk Mission of Mercy Project to conduct a one-day dental outreach that provides free dental treatment to uninsured and underinsured adults in Western Tidewater and Gates County, N.C.
• Virginia Legal Aid Society — $75,000 to help disabled clients navigate the Medicaid and Medicare application and appeals processes.
• Virginia Supportive Housing — $7,500 to provide supportive services to eight homeless individuals from Suffolk and Isle of Wight who reside in permanent supportive housing facilities.
• Western Tidewater Community Services Board — $100,000 to continue Western Tidewater’s first outpatient medical detoxification program that provides daily testing, counseling, support and referral services to substance abusers.
• Western Tidewater Free Clinic — $500,000 to provide free, comprehensive, coordinated medical and dental care to low-income, uninsured adult patients in Western Tidewater.
• Western Tidewater Health District — $13,900 for Saving Smiles to provide preventive dental services and education to children enrolled in Medicaid/FAMIS and who receive free lunch at schools in Franklin, Isle of Wight County and Southampton County.
• Western Tidewater Tennis Association — $15,000 to increase the number of elementary school children who play tennis and exercise on a regular basis.
• WHRO — $25,000 to confirm the increased upload of eMedia health data and confirm the increased use of eMedia for health, nutrition and activity curriculum by Western Tidewater teachers.

In addition to naming the most recent grantees, the Foundation announced that more than $2.3 million in grants will be awarded during the next year-long grant period.

Applicants must submit concept papers by Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.

More information is available at www.obicihcf.org or by calling 539-8810.