Caswell Parish Named Recipient of the 2022 Ashby Award

January 27, 2022

DRF is pleased to announce Caswell County Parish, Inc. has been selected to receive the 2022 B.R. Ashby, M.D. Award for Outstanding Community Service.

This award, in the amount of a $50,000 general operating grant, honors outstanding community service in the region by a nonprofit organization based on success in helping families and individuals overcome significant challenges. 

“Caswell Parish received the very first Ashby Award in 2010 and they continue to be the primary source of emergency food and utilities assistance in Caswell County,” said Clark Casteel, president and CEO of Danville Regional Foundation. “They have served thousands through their programs which include food distribution, utility assistance, backpack programs and a thrift store. DRF is proud to present the 2022 B.R. Ashby, M.D. Award for Outstanding Community Service to Caswell Parish.”

In 2021, Caswell Parish received over 9,000 pounds of donated food which was distributed through 7,435 pantry visits. Through their backpack program, 150 children were served throughout the community with 239 households receiving utility assistance.

In addition to these services, Caswell Parish continues to operate the Two Hearts Thrift Store which supports their programs but also provides low cost, gently used merchandise for anyone who visits.

"Caswell Parish is honored to receive the Ashby Award for the second time,” said Nell Page, volunteer co-director of Caswell Parish. “Our mission is to minister to our neighbors in the most tangible way possible, by meeting their physical needs of clothing, food or utility assistance. If we can remove one worry from their mind, then we have achieved that mission.”

“The $50,000 award comes at exactly the right time,” said Jane Thompson, volunteer co-director of Caswell Parish. “We have run out of pantry space and cold food storage. Sometimes we can’t accept refrigerated food offered by Second Harvest because we don’t have the cooler space. This money, along with funds we have raised, will help us expand our pantry area and purchase an additional cooler so we can provide even more assistance to our local families.”

In 2009, DRF created the award to honor outstanding community service by an area nonprofit. In appreciation of the exemplary service and selfless leadership of B. R. Ashby, M. D., a founding Board Member and first Chairman of the DRF.  

Nominations for nonprofit organizations were accepted from within the DRF service area that includes the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County, VA and Caswell County, NC. Community members were encouraged to nominate an organization they feel has demonstrated a commitment to caring, generosity of spirit, and improving the quality of life for residents in the region. An Advisory Committee of five community members and a DRF Board representative reviews all nominations before selecting the recipient. 

Past recipients of this award include Grace & Main Fellowship/Third Chance Ministries (2021), Just Kids Child Development Center, Inc. (2020), Danville Speech and Hearing Center (2019), Pittsylvania County Community Action (2018), Caswell Family Medical Center (2017), Danville Cancer Association (2016), God’s Storehouse (2015), the Northern Pittsylvania County Food Center (2014), Danville Life Saving and First Aid Crew (2013), God’s Pit Crew (2012), Danville Church-Based Tutorial Program (2011) and Caswell Parish (2010).   

DRF works to encourage revitalization and renewal in the Dan River Region. We do so by making long-term investments to improve education, economic vitality, community wellness, financial stability and civic capacity for citizens throughout the City of Danville, Virginia; Pittsylvania County, Virginia; and Caswell County, North Carolina.

DRF envisions thriving Dan River Region communities where all residents are encouraged and equipped to build healthy and productive lives for themselves and their families. DRF’s mission is to be a catalyst for long-term transformation through the development, promotion and support of impactful activities and programs that address the health, education, and well-being of all the Dan River Region’s residents. The Foundation is one part of a large collaborative network of partners from all sectors working together as agents for innovation promising a sustained positive impact on the entire region.

Since its establishment in 2005, DRF has committed more than $160 million through more than 500 grants. For more information on DRF, our programs, our partners and other grant making opportunities, please visit our website at www.drfonline.org.