Community
Community is more than just a group of people living in a particular area. A community is a group of people we lean on when times are not the easiest; our family, friends, and neighbors who are there for us when we need love, support and encouragement.
Remember Your Loved Ones
Remember your loved ones this holiday season with a light on the Lake Monticello Memory Tree, to be at the Bunker Bistro from Nov. 29 to Jan. 2. Donors can have a light on the tree lit, with the name of the person being remembered published on an accompanying sign, on the Lake Monticello Community Foundation Facebook page, and on the Lake Monticello News Facebook page.
A donation to the Lake Monticello Community Foundation of $10 for each light is suggested. Set up your remembrance either via Venmo or via the link below.
Foundation-Donated Kayak Launch Ramps Installed
LMOA maintenance staff installed the first of two new kayak launch ramps. The ramps, donated by the Lake Monticello Community Foundation, are intended to make it easier for residents to launch kayaks into the Lake, then get them out when they’re finished kayaking.
The first launch ramp is being installed at the Marina, near where the kayak racks are. Facilities & Operations Director Tracy Chandler said his staff also plans to replace some of the existing kayak racks with larger ones, adding about 24 kayak storage spaces. He said residents have already expressed interest in using the additional storage spaces.
The second kayak launch ramp purchased by Lake Monticello Community Foundation is to be installed soon at Beach 3. Chandler said eight additional storage racks are planned there as well.
Lake Foundation Again Offers High School Service Awards
Two $2,000 community service awards for Fluvanna high school seniors will be given again this year by the Lake Monticello Community Foundation. Seniors at any county high school are invited to download the application for the awards at www.lakemonticellocommunityfoundation.org/community. Applications are due to the Foundation by March 15.
Candidates for the awards (one for residents of the Lake and another for Fluvanna residents outside the Lake) must have completed at least 50 hours of community service during their high school years. The winners will be judged by the amount and quality of their service and their overall commitment to serving their community.
“The Lake Monticello Community Foundation is looking for students who engage in meaningful community service, which reflects their passions and their commitment to making a difference over time,” said awards committee Chair Scott Mein. “We think this is a great way to encourage young people to develop the habit of community service.”
In its third year of granting the awards, the Lake Monticello Community Foundation has increased the size of the awards to $2,000 for each student, from $1,500.
Applications and scholarship information are available at Fork Union Military Academy and Fluvanna County High School, or you can contact us at lakecommunityfoundation@gmail.com.
Completed applications should be sent to Lake Monticello Community Foundation by March 15: 265 Turkeysag Trail, Suite 102 #143, Palmyra, VA 22963 or email lakecommunityfoundation@gmail.com. The Lake Monticello Community Foundation Community Service Award will be given April 17 at the Fluvanna County High School awards celebration.
Letter to the Foundation
The Lake Monticello Community Foundation recently received this note from Jackson Kinsella, one of the 2023 winners of the scholarships the Foundation gives annually to Fluvanna students who have shown their willingness to volunteer to help their community. Jackson is now a freshman at Stanford University.
Dear Lake Monticello Community Foundation,
I know it is a bit late – but I just wanted to extend my gratitude at your generous scholarship that you provided for me. My senior year was full, with and a lot of experiences, but, by far, the most meaningful was receiving a scholarship to go study all the way across the country, far from my community.
This honor has not been lost on me. I’ll take the values of being born and raised by the Lake with me every day. Please know the impact you have had not only on me, but on our community – from scholarships to parks – is meaningful, kind and noble.
Please continue what you do. I will always be a kid from Lake Monticello.
Jackson Kinsella
Foundation Continues Giving
The Lake Monticello Community Foundation celebrated the completion of the All-Inclusive Playground by making significant donations to several non-profit organizations that significantly benefit our community. Among them were $2,000 each to the Fluvanna SPCA (upper left), the Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire & Rescue squad (upper right) and Fluvanna Meals on Wheels (lower right), plus $2,500 to the Fluvanna chapter of Dolly Parton Imagination Library. And more big donations are in the works!
Foundation Awards Community Service Scholarships at Fluvanna High School
The Lake Monticello Community Foundation gave two $2,000 scholarships Wednesday to Fluvanna High School students, based on their commitment to community service. The winners were Jackson Kinsella of Lake Monticello and Artela Aljiji of Troy.
Kinsella detailed more than 150 hours of community service, in his application for the scholarship. His efforts included teaching children at the Boys and Girls Club of Scottsville about java coding and promoting leadership skills. He’s currently planning a field day for the students. Kinsella also was a volunteer swim coach for Battlefield Area Super Swimmers, a lead tutor for the National Beta Club, and founded a club at the high school to encourage political involvement.
Kinsella, who will head to Stanford in the fall, said community service “is embedded in the DNA of our community,” calling it an ”all encompassing zeal of contribution and possibility housed around this pond by Jefferson’s house.”
Aljiji cited about 125 hours of community service, much of it working with International Neighbors to provide food for refugees from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Congo and Pakistan. She also re-stocked food for the Charlottesville Salvation Army food bank, coached Fluvanna Youth Soccer, handed out food at the Fluvanna Food Bank, and worked with a group of students and the Sheriff’s Office to pick up trash on local roads.
“Community service has had an incredible impact and allowed me to become better as an individual,” Aljiji said. “It has such a tremendous benefit in my life and you truly are able to see firsthand the impact you have on others and your community.”
The Foundation also awarded a new Dell laptop to Itza Juarez-Viveros, who was selected by her teachers, to assist her college career.
Foundation President Nancy Parsons awards computer to Itza Juarez-Viveros
Scholarship winner Artella Aljiji
Scholarship winner Jackson Kinsella
Winners Drawn for
‘Great Sunshine Getaway’
A full house at Cunningham Creek Winery watched five winners of the Lake Monticello Community Foundation “Great Sunshine Getaway” raffle be drawn during a break in the performance by F.O.G.
The winners, drawn by members of the crowd, included: Patrick Reilly, the week at the Holiday Inn-Orlando Breeze; Susan Beck, a week in a luxury condo at South Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach; Nan Mack, two nights at Hyatt Regency-Orlando Airport; Brian Williams, two nights at any Graduate Hotel; and Leslie Chambers, three nights and dinner at the Hotel Haya, Tampa.
The Great Sunshine Getaway Raffle
Five Chances to Win!
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July 15-22, 2023, at South Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach, with a fully equipped kitchen, 2 bathrooms, washer & dryer and balcony for beautiful South Carolina sunsets. The resort is across the street from the ocean, with water slides, multiple pools both inside and out, a lazy river, and access to many other activities. Charcoal grills are outside each building and you can enjoy the resort fire pit every evening!
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at Holiday Inn-Orlando Breeze, Oct. 14-21, 2023. Only 15 minutes from Disney, but way, way quieter. With three pools, including a zero-entry, shaded kiddie pool, on-site mini-golf, arcade and theater and spacious villas with room for the whole family.
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at Hotel Haya just minutes from downtown Tampa, Fla., combining Old Harbor City charm with modern flair. A soulful, historic world all its own. Includes dinner for two at one of the oldest restaurants gracing 7th Street.
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Orlando Airport, by August 2023, puts you within minutes to area theme park attractions, Orange County Convention Center on International Drive, as well as Port Canaveral for cruise trips. The rooftop pool offers remarkable Central Florida views.
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in the U.S. (including Charlottesville and Richmond). Graduate Hotels are a collection of 33 hotels in college towns across the country. Each hotel reflects the culture and charm of the nearby university.
Raffle tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100
Raffle drawing May 12 , 2023 , 7:00 PM at Cunningham Creek Winery
And benefit the All-Inclusive Playground , Being developed by the Lake Monticello Community Foundation
Available from board members as well
Raffle drawing May 12 , 2023 , 7:00 PM at Cunningham Creek Winery
LAKE MONTICELLO MEMORY TREE 2022
Remember someone special with a blue light on our holiday Memory Tree, which will be lit from Nov. 25 through Jan. 2 in front of The Pub. Your name and those you honor will be
published on the Lake Monticello News page, on our Lake Monticello Community Foundation Facebook Page and on a sign at The Pub.
Suggested donation - $10 per light
Check out what the community is posting on instagram using the hashtag #lakemonticello
