The Farmington Lend A Hand Foundation
Farmington’s members often refer to the Club as a home away from home. Many view the relationships forged here as an extension of their families. Likewise, many of the people who work at Farmington believe they are part of a community that stands ready to help in times of need.
In the past, when an employee suffered an unexpected financial or personal hardship such as illness, the loss of a home or the death of a family member, Farmington staff would pass a hat for donations. Over time, these well-intended gestures seemed inadequate in the face of some very difficult situations. This spirit of compassion and the belief that we could do more inspired us to create the Farmington Lend a Hand Foundation, an employee-funded 501(c)(3) organization designed and managed by Farmington staff to help one another in times of need.
Since its inception in 2007, Lend a Hand has seen remarkable growth. It began with $2,800, and has grown through unsolicited member contributions and a steady stream of funds from employees who voluntarily pledge a dollar or more from each paycheck.
The Foundation has raised over $150,000 in assistance for staff members in need. Staff in need complete an application that is then reviewed by Lend a Hand board members, who confidentially evaluate each request based upon guidelines created when the foundation was established. Employees have received money to help cover funeral expenses for family members, and in cases of domestic abuse, fire, personal property damage and lost work time stemming from injury or illness
The good work done by the Lend a Hand Foundation made news outside of Farmington when it was selected by the Albemarle/Charlottesville Human Resources Association (ACHRA) as one of four 2010 Human Resources Excellence Award winners. The Human Resources Excellence Awards honor outstanding achievement in human resources. The award was created to celebrate the positive work done by human resources departments in Charlottesville.
Farmington Lend a Hand Scholarship Program
The Farmington Lend a Hand Foundation Scholarship Program assists hourly employees and their dependent children and dependent grandchildren who desire to pursue higher education but require financial assistance to do so.
The Foundation awards up to two scholarship grants each year, to be used for tuition and fees for full-time or part-time study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational/technical school in the United States.
The Scholarship Selection Committee, composed of the Foundation Board of Directors and two volunteer members of the local community, reviews applications and selects up to two scholarship grant recipients annually. All applications and grant awards are kept personal and confidential.
Since it began awarding scholarships in 2012, the Foundation has provided 14 scholarship awards to employees and employee dependent children totaling $15,500.