Mission
Members of the Greater Rappahannock Area Ladies League (GRALL) are committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry within our community.
GRALL conducts its community-service programming through four key areas of focus, as outlined below.
Focus 1: Cultural Arts
GRALL is committed to the promotion of the cultural arts on a local, regional, and national level. GRALL members have included classically trained artists who conducted performances throughout the United States to various audiences. In addition, GRALL has established strategic partnerships with other local groups and organizations to support activities such as the Black Arts Festival and has participated in numerous cultural functions both financially and in person.
Focus 2: National Viewpoints
Wellness Fair
GRALL has conducted an annual Wellness Fair to provide health information to area women. These have been staffed through commitments made by GRALL-member physicians and other local medical personnel. Participants received notebooks with information on various health concerns. Blood pressure and diabetic screenings were provided. A menu of light refreshments was provided, along with donated giveaways. Corporate sponsors have included Crest, Tylenol, and Euricin.
Fredericksburg Area Food Bank
GRALL members have gathered nonperishable food items and cash donations on behalf of the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank.
Barbara Carroll Community Outreach Organization
GRALL has entered into a productive partnership with the Barbara Carroll Community Outreach Development Corporation (BCCODC), a 501(c)3 nonprofit service organization that has an all-volunteer staff serving five communities on a weekly, part-time schedule: Caroline County, City of Fredericksburg, King George County, Spotsylvania County, and Stafford County. The organization centers its services around two major initiatives: 1) emergency food and fuel assistance, and 2) education and health. GRALL and BCCODC jointly sponsor the annual "Hit the Links" Golf Tournament.
Focus 3: International Perspectives
Topsy Foundation
GRALL has partnered with the Topsy Foundation, which seeks to address the effects of HIV and AIDS in South Africa through bulk purchase of "angel" beadwork for resale. GRALL members sold the beadwork, with proceeds benefiting the Topsy Foundation.
United Nations Initiative for African Women Suffering from Obstetric Fistula
GRALL has partnered with members of the U.S. Congress to highlight the plight of obstetric fistula in the African community.
Using a letter-writing campaign along with telephone calls, GRALL members were able to shed some additional light on this medical crisis that has been the subject of a United Nations health initiative.
Focus 4: Youth Services
GRALL Academic Scholarships
GRALL has awarded two academic scholarships per year. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
1) The applicant must be a candidate for graduation in a high school within the GRALL service area.
2) The applicant must have been accepted by an accredited two-year or four-year college or university.
3) The applicant must have at least a 2.5 grade point average (GPA).
4) The applicant must have submitted a completed application along with an official copy of his or her high school transcript, a copy of his or her standardized test scores, a brief essay (not more than two typed pages) stating the student's need for a scholarship, a listing of the applicant's extracurricular activities and community involvements while in high school along with any related awards, at least two letters of recommendation, including at least one from a teacher or school administrator and at least one from a member of the applicant's community who can attest to the applicant's abilities and character.
"Hit the Links" Charity Golf Tournament
GRALL and the Barbara Carroll Community Outreach Development Corporation (BDDODC) held their first annual "Hit the Links" Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, October 17, 2008, at the Augustine Golf Club in Stafford County, Virginia. The tournament was held to raise money for GRALL's academic scholarships and for BDDODC's community projects. The tournament was a four-person scramble and featured prizes for the winning teams, hole prizes, and other opportunities to win.
For more information or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities regarding future tournaments, click here.
Black History Month Books Donation
To commemorate the inauguration of President Barack Obama and in support of Black History Month, GRALL ordered forty copies of the book Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes for donation to area elementary school libraries. A copy of the book, containing a GRALL bookplate highlighting the donation, was presented to each of the elementary schools within the GRALL service area.
Additional Community Support
In addition to the programs outlined above, GRALL supports the following organizations through membership, participation, and donations:
The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Greater Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg Area Sickle Cell Association
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