The Obici Healthcare Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to 14 nonprofit organizations serving Western Tidewater, officials announced on Wednesday.

R. Scott Carr, foundation chairman, stated in a press release that award amounts among new and renewed grantees ranged from $24,733 to $530,000.

“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,” Carr stated.

Children’s Literacy of Suffolk received a $40,430 grant to support implementation of a Suffolk elementary school literacy program for kindergartners and first-grade students that are below grade level in reading scores as shown in PALS testing.

Other successful fall 2017 grantees were as follows:

• American Diabetes Association: $77,990; Diabetes Self-Management Education Program Extension; to train ambassadors in the high health-risk communities in Isle of Wight and Surry Counties, to raise awareness of diabetes and to stress the importance of early detection and disease management;
• American Heart Association: $50,396; Simple Cooking with Heart Mobile Kitchen in Franklin; to educate Franklin residents on the importance of eating healthier meals and preparing meals at home with hands-on training that teaches the participants to prepare the meal from start to finish;
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia: $34,400; Triple Play: Mind, Body, & Soul; to support Triple Play, a national Boys & Girls Club program with goals is to improve members’ knowledge of becoming healthy and active by learning new ways to eat nutritionally, manage stress, maintain physical fitness and form positive relationships with peers;
• ForKids Inc.: $300,000; Suffolk Regional Services Center and the Center for Children; to support a new multi-use facility in Suffolk to help homeless families reach medical appointments, employment, affordable housing and to provide shelter, service delivery, staffing, call center, volunteer management, thrift store and community revitalization;
• ForKids Inc.: $30,000; Healthcare Support for Homeless Families; to improve the health of poor and homeless families in Western Tidewater through intensive case management and referrals to community resources;
• Girls on the Run Hampton Roads: $24,733; Healthy, Joyful, Confident Girls in Western Tidewater; to support the expansion of the program in Western Tidewater to serve 300 girls with a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running;
• The Children’s Center: $50,000; Suffolk classroom expansion; to construct six new Early Head Start classrooms, office space and an expansion of an existing kitchen to serve 48 low-income children each week;
• Horizon Health Services, Inc.: $100,000; The Ivor Dental Center; to provide dental care and smoking cessation services in the Franklin, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Surry and Sussex service areas.
• Smart Beginnings Western Tidewater: $32,610; Starting Life Healthy and Ready to Learn; to address two major health needs for Western Tidewater — malnutrition and mental health in Franklin and Southampton County — through workshops, training and resources for early childcare providers and parents of children prenatal through age 8;
• The Planning Council: $28,443; Farm2Childcare              ; To implement a well-researched model that connects local producers of fresh fruits and vegetables to childcare programs in Western Tidewater;
• Virginia Legal Aid Society: $100,000; Medical Access Project; to help disabled clients navigate the complex Medicaid and Medicare application and appeals processes;
• Walk In It Inc.: $75,000; Ladies of Distinction; to support a mentoring and tutoring program through after-school meetings that include movement, exercise, academic enrichment and healthy snacks;
• Western Tidewater Community Services Board: $75,000; Outpatient Medical Detox; to continue Western Tidewater’s first outpatient medical detoxification program that provides daily testing, counseling, support and referral services to substance abusers;
• And Western Tidewater Free Clinic: $530,000.00; Expand Access to Comprehensive Care; to provide operational support for medical and dental care and chronic disease management of uninsured patients and to expand pharmacy services.

Grants made by the Foundation continue Amedeo Obici’s legacy of improving the health status of people living in the service area,” noted Annette Beuchler, foundation president and chief executive officer.

“Mr. Obici, the founder of Planter’s Peanuts, was successful in business and passionate about helping the people in Western Tidewater and Gates County, N.C.”