Helping Rappahannock care for its own
Benevolent Fund Dinner integral to community ‘safety net’
The Benevolent Fund Dinner on January 25 at the old Washington School House will be Rappahannock County at its finest. This annual fundraiser is the strongest thread in a safety net that is of the community, by the community and for the community.
For 12 years, the Benevolent Fund has helped the people of Rappahannock through emergencies — keeping the lights on, the furnace pumping, the wood piled high, the insurance covered, the car in good repair and gassed up for work, and the rent paid.
The emergency aid amounted to $120,000 last year, awarded quietly to 171 recipients in grants normally averaging $300$350 each. In addition, after the crisis is resolved, the Benevolent Fund offers guidance and counseling aimed at avoiding future financial pitfalls.
It’s the good neighbor policy kicked up a notch to the best neighbor policy. No regulations. No strings attached. No hoops to jump through. No involvement by federal, state or local government.
Just “those who have” helping those who don’t.
Of that annual benevolence budget, $50,000 is raised by the dinner, and the total has been matched every year by the Greve Foundation; but now that support has ended.
“After a dozen years, the Fund is looking to the community to shoulder the responsibility, and so we’re asking folks to reach a little deeper in their pockets,” said Theresa Wood, chairman for this year’s dinner.
“It’s Rappahannock’s most egalitarian gathering,” affirmed Jennings Hobson, the retired rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, one of the Benevolent Fund’s organizers and the dinner’s emcee for the first six years.
Dinner-goers include newcomers, old timers and bornheres, youngsters and oldsters, the rich and the not so rich. Celebrity waiters from all walks of Rappahannock life are responsible for filling their 13 tables, and their invitees buy their tickets knowing that they will be expected to shell out additional dollars for, say, a serenade, a dance, a special drink, maybe even their plates and silverware.
Mike Leake is the auctioneer.
The all-star basketball and baseball standout at Rappahannock County High School puts his heart into bidding
up donations. It’s an impressive list that includes dinners, tastings, art, furniture, tours, carriage rides, photo shoots, a townhouse in Brooklyn and the hugely popular oil change and detailing from Settles Grocery and Garage. Last year, that brought in a stunning $7,000 as Bubby Settle added a second and a third detailing/oil change combo to meet the demand from bidders. And he even threw in a couple of breakfast sandwiches!
“Here at Settle’s, we’re in full support of our Rappahannock community and everyone in that community,” explained daughter Kendra. “The Benevolent Fund does great work, and we love that dinner!”
“We camp it up, vamp it up and sacrifice our dignity for a good cause,” said Food Pantry director and celebrity waiter Mimi Forbes, who sashayed around in a bathing suit (over white tights and a white turtleneck) in the dead of winter for a dinner with a beach theme.
“It’s comfortable, no stress fun,” agreed Debbie Donehey, Wakefield District supervisor and owner of the Griffin Tavern in Flint Hill, who’s been a celebrity waiter for five years. “In fact, it’s the most fun event I go to! It’s festive from the minute you walk in the door.
“And the place is buzzing, something is always going on because the waiters and auctioneer are committed to creatively selling everything. If you come in with money in your pockets, our goal is to get it all before the end of the night.”
“We raise $45,000 to $50,000, in that one night, to help the people of Rappahannock with resources given by our own community, our entire community,” added Rev. Hobson.
“You don’t have to donate $1,000,” concluded Wood. “Twenty five dollars makes a huge difference to someone who is between jobs or struggling with the expenses of a child’s illness and doesn’t have money for propane or gas. That’s what the Benevolent Fund is all about.”