“This scholarship will provide an opportunity to high school graduates who desire to obtain a nursing degree that otherwise may not be able to accomplish due to financial hardships. Elmo Hurst was a great advocator of higher education. He was a principal stockholder in three companies located in Beckley, WV that provide in-home care to the elderly and disabled. He realized there was a shortage of Registered Nurses in the Beckley area and nationwide. Hopefully, this scholarship will help address the RN shortage in our area.” — Valerie Phillips | Daughter of Elmo J. Hurst Elmo J. Hurst was an outstanding businessman & philanthropist in WV and across the nation for over 50 years. After graduating from WVU in 1953, with a B.S. in Mining Engineering and three years as Lieutenant (J.G.) in the US Navy, he began work as an assistant Chief Engineer and assistant to the VP and GM of Winding Gulf Coals Inc. in WV. He then became VP and GM of Lively Manufacturing & Equipment Co. and J.O. Lively Construction Co.. When these companies were sold to Elgin National Industries in 1969, he became President of both. He retired in 1988 as President of Elgin.
Soon after retiring, he purchased controlling interest in the Miller Bearing Co. and Almega/Tru-Flex, Inc. and became Chairman/CEO of both companies. He was also Chairman/CEO and owned controlling interest of Mountain State Home Care, Inc., AmeriCare Management Services, Inc., Your Choice Home Care, LLC and served on the Board of Directors of several engineering, financial and banking organizations. The accomplishments of Elmo's professional activities were matched by his philanthropic efforts. He was instrumental in establishing Beckley Area Foundation. He served as chair & member of WVU Foundation Board of Directors for more than 20 years and has also served WVU as a member of the College of Engineering Visiting Committee, the College of Minerals & Energy Resources Advisory Committee, Vice Chairman of "The Campaign" for WVU and the Executive Council of the Alumni Association. WVU honored him by inducting him into The Order of Vandalia, Woodward Circle, The Irving Stewart Society, and selected him as WVU Mountaineer in 1980. They also honored Elmo and his wife Betty by naming the atrium of the Minerals & Energy Resource Building in their honor. He generously donated his time and money by serving WV in such organizations as the WV Housing Authority Board, Governor Arch Moore's Advisory Council for Technical Services, the YMCA of Southern WV, and was instrumental in the foundation of the Women's Resource Center in Beckley. One measure of his important contributions to the Beckley community is the Spirit of Beckley Community Service Award he received in 1996. Anyone interested in donating to this fund may mail contributions with “Elmo Hurst” in the memo to BAF, 1210 South Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801 or click the button below to donate online. If you are interested in starting a scholarship fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email [email protected].
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Col. Rodney F. Moody Scholarship Provides A Unique Leadership Opportunity to Promising Cadet3/30/2023  Civic Leadership Academy Cadets at the Lincoln Memorial The goal of Civic Leadership Academy is to foster cadet officers’ civic growth by increasing their leadership skills, sense of civic responsibility, and overall interest in the democratic process. Cadets interested in politics and careers in public service, CAP’s Civic Leadership Academy, an exciting 1-week program in Washington, DC, is for you. Cadets participate in behind-the scenes tours and briefings at the Capitol, Supreme Court, State Department, Pentagon, CIA, Arlington National Cemetery, and more. This is not your average field trip to Washington. CLA is an academically focused activity that includes seminars, readings, and group projects. The week culminates with Legislative Day, when cadets meet with their elected leaders on Capitol Hill.  C/Lt Col Nathaniel Whetsell receives the Colonel Rodney F. Moody Memorial Civil Air Patrol Scholarship. Left to right: Senator Shelley Moore Capito, C/Lt Col Nathaniel Whetsell, and Colonel Connie Moody, WV Wing Commander "Throughout the Civic Leadership Academy, I met and worked with 19 other extraordinary cadets from all over the country. We were able to see and experience things that the majority of our peers will never be able to in their lifetimes, much less before the age of 21. We had lunch with high-ranking officers of the armed forces in the Pentagon, walked the halls of the CIA, participated in a diplomatic training scenario that was evaluated by experienced Department of State employees, and were allowed access too many areas that aren’t open to the general public. I even had the honor to place a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. This experience is something that I will remember for the rest of my life and I am so glad I decided to attend this training. I would also like to thank Beckley Area Foundation and the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) for providing me with the Colonel Rodney F. Moody Memorial CAP Scholarship, which allowed me to attend this activity without a significant financial burden. I am extremely grateful for their financial support, which provided me with this unique opportunity to expand my education and training in civic leadership." — Nathaniel Whetsell’| Col. Rodney F. Moody Memorial Scholarship Recipient  Beginning of the Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier C/Lt Col Nathaniel Whetsell on Left Connie Moody, wife of Rodney, along with family and friends, created this permanent memorial for a beloved family man and distinguished community servant. At the age of 54, he died in 2009 after fighting a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol – United States Auxiliary, reaching the rank of Colonel; he served as the National Controller (2005-2008) and the WV Wing Commander (2001-2005). He was an avid supporter of the Cadet Program and initiated the cadet leadership course conducted annually at the Mine Health & Safety Academy. Income from this fund will be used to provide scholarships for eligible cadets of the WV Wing to attend a CAP leadership training activity.
A bequest from sisters, Freda and Sula Soter created the “Athas and Helen Soter (Athanasios and Eleni Karakasis Soteracopoulos) Memorial Fund” to honor their parents. The income from this fund will go to YMCA of Southern West Virginia for programs directed to disadvantaged children, the Raleigh County Public Library and the Beckley Concert Association. “On behalf of the YMCA of Southern WV, we are blessed by the kindness and generosity of Freda & Sula Soter in making the YMCA part of their plans at BAF through a bequest. The income that the YMCA receives from the designated funds at the BAF is critical support for the work we do to strengthen our community with a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.” — Jay Rist | CEO, YMCA of Southern WV “Thanks to the generosity of Freda and Sula Soter, the Raleigh County Public Library will have more funds to continue to provide services the community has come to expect; a well rounded collection of books to share, access to information in a variety of formats, education and entertaining programs for all ages, and a staff who are here to help." — Amy Stover | Director, Raleigh County Public Library “Those of us working with Beckley Concert Association have been proud to offer quality music to the area for over 80 years. This effort has only been possible through supporters such as Freda and Sula Soter. They have supported BCA over the years through their continued monetary contributions as well as many, many volunteer hours.” — Peggy Debnam | Volunteer, Beckley Concert Association Freda and Sula's parents were ethnic Greeks who were born and reared in Katirli, Turkey, before immigrating to the United States. Freda was a claims representative for the Social Security office and Sula was a supervisor in the business office of a telephone company. Both of them were very involved in the community.
Freda and Sula established another fund at BAF in 2017, to support the Beckley Concert Association and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church for its outreach, beautification, and arts programming. Anyone interested in donating to this fund may mail contributions with “Soter23” in the memo to BAF, 1210 South Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801 or click the button below to donate online. If you are interested in starting a designated fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email [email protected].  BAF President Doug Ramsden, presents a check to the City of Beckley Mayor, Rob Rappold. A designated fund is established by a donor to benefit a specific charity, or program for a charity. Since the first designated fund was established in 1986, BAF has been telling stories of donors and helping local organizations create new stories each year. To date, over $6.5 million dollars has been distributed from designated funds. The City of Beckley's annual designated distribution was $18,046, made possible by three different funds that have been designated to support their efforts:
“The City of Beckley is once again so appreciative of the foresight of those whose names identify the BAF named funds that enhance our future. This year's Ralsten, Shoemaker and Flying Eagle fund distributions total $18,046 and will be used to further the desired causes.” — Robert Rappold | Mayor, City of Beckley Over the next week, BAF will be diving into five more organizations (found in bold letters below) to highlight their service to the community, and which designated funds support them each year.
BAF distributed $425,677 to 64 organizations in our area from designated funds for 2022-2023. The grant awards are as follows:
Anyone interested in donating to a designated fund may mail contributions to BAF, 1210 S. Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801 or click the button below. If you are interested in starting a designated fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email [email protected]. |
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