Our Recipients

Project Lifesaver Wins 3rd Quarter Funds

River City Givers held their 3rd Quarter 2025 meeting on July 15 at the Wyndham Swim & Racquet Club.
Following a Social Half hour (beginning at 6:30), our meeting came to order with 20 members in attendance, including 2 guests
We learned about 3 recipient candidate non-profit organizations.

Mary Gill spoke about Project Lifesaver, working under the Henrico Community Partners in January. She returned, providing more details on this premier Search & Rescue program operated internationally. Their primary mission is to provide timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults & children with the propensity to wander due to a cognitive condition. You can learn more at [email protected]

Susan Dennis shared about Ronal McDonald House Charities of Richmond (RMHC Richmond), and independent non-profit chapter of Ronald McDonald House Charities. They provide a "home away from home" for families whose children are receiving care at local area hospitals throughout the Greater Richmond area. The provide house, meals and other resources to support family members during a time of great stress and often with little means.
RMHC is planning for a new facility to be built which will accommodate more guests with more modern amenities. Learn more here.

Vicki Yeroian next told our members about WRIR 97.3 FM (Your Community Radio Station), Richmond's independent radio is an all volunteer station & 501C organization which offers a platform for the often underrepresented members of our community. Owned by the Virginia Center for Public Press, they recently lost significant federal funding. WRIR relies heavily on donations, advertising & events to enhance revenue while providing a wide range of services & programs.
Find out more about WRIR and how they support the Richmond community here.

While our members voted on the quarterly recipient, Mike Ward updated us on how RCG's 2nd Quarter funding is making it possible for Jill's Blankets to make & distribute fleece blankets this year to chemotherapy patients. Jill's Blankets organization received our funding at just the right time, prior to Joann Fabrics' closing. They were able to purchase a substantial inventory of fleece at a great price!

Once the votes were tallied, RCG was thrilled to announce that Project Lifesaver would be receiving RCG's 3rd Quarter funds!

Jill's Blankets - Recipient of 3rd Quarter 2025 Funds

10/11/2025

The 2nd Quarter River City Givers meeting was held April 15, 2025 at the Wyndham Swim & Racquet Club. We held a 1/2 hour social time prior to the meeting for members to meet and get to know each other. Refreshments and snacks were provided during this time. This change seemed to be a hit for everyone.
There were 23 people in attendance and 5 of those decided to join as new members at the meeting! Please Welcome the following to our group which now totals 51 members.
Tara Bowmaster, Veronica Lyell , Vicki Vogt, Kelly McAuliffe, and Lisa Hamilton. We are delighted to add these women and hope the membership continues to grow.
Three members submitted charities for consideration.
1. Kathy Johnson, shared with the group the Charity called Jill's Blankets. This is a group of people who make and deliver polar fleece blankets to patients undergoing chemotherapy and who were friends of the founder Jill Ward. See more info on their website. https://jillsblankets.org/
2. Janice Louge presented information about Destination Church at Southpark Mall Outreach. Janice shared updated information since she last presented this charity..
More information on this organization can be found at https://www.destinationchurch.com/
3. Diane Schriewer shared details on a charity we previously funded in 2019. This charity is Worthdays and was established to aid children in Foster Care. Initially the goal was to present the child with a Birthday cake and some small gifts to make them feel worthy. It has grown in many ways where they also advocate for over 500 children who are not served in the best way with the bureaucracy of the Va. Foster Care system. Find out more at www.worthdays.org
Ballots were collected and the following two past recipients shared more about their missions and how our funds have helped them in their respective operations.
Bruce Slough, representing St. Francis Manchester, our Oct 2024 winner gave a brief overview of the organization and the financial challenges. He thanked everyone for their interest and allowing funds to be added to the general operating fund. They are the only Assisted Living Facility in Va. offering the type of service they provide.
Ken Jordon the board member for Launch for Life who was the Jan 2025 recipient shared many stories of ways they have assisted young boys and their mothers through their personal time and efforts thereby enriching the lives of many young boys and who do not have a father figure in their lives. Like wise the program is more successful when the Moms participate in the program.
The Winner of this quarters funds was awarded to Jill’s Blankets

Leave a Reply.