2004 Cruikshank Award

Dean Sculthorpe announced all the Cruikshank Award Nominee’s who were all presented with a framed certificate.

Everette and Heather Newman's "A Gift from Ben" program received the Twelth Annual United Way of Greater Williamsburg's Cruikshank Award. The program's inspiration began from tragedy. Everette and Heather Newman lost their son, Ben, in 2001. In 2002 they picked up, in Ben's name, a food rescuer program that had been discontinued. From then, the two have dedicated their lives to the AGift From Ben" program which now emanates from the James City County Community Church and services 900 families weekly with fresh food. Everete and Heather themselves spend most of each day collecting, sorting and personally delivering the food in their specially equipped van that they refitted with a chest freezer and coolers. They spend the evenings recording and scheduling deliveries. Our community is proud of what one family is doing so diligently to help hundreds of others.

The Cruikshank Award was named after the first recipient in 1992, Pete
Cruikshank, in honor of the establishment of United Way's Information &
Referral Service. Other past recipients include Angels of Mercy, S.A.N.E. (Sexual Assault
Nurse Examiner), CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Respite Day Care
of the Williamsburg Mennonite Church, All Together, the Buffalo Boys
Motorcycle Club, Karen Schifrin for the Lafayette High School After-Prom
Party, the Neighborhood Connections Program, Olde Towne Medical Center, and
Don Messmer for the acquisition of the Historic Triangle Community Service
Program.

The 2004 Nominees Were:

Ron Boucher & Sandra Balestracci - pioneers of performing arts development for the children and youth of Williamsburg since 1983.

Business Leaders of Williamsburg "Tinsel, Trees and Trimmings" event 2003 – through numerous volunteers and campaigning, this group managed to help 64 needy Williamsburg families during the holidays.

Business Leaders of Williamsburg - have been involved with many organizations in the community including United Way, Heritage Humane Society, Leukemia &Lymphoma Society, Housing Partnerships and their own charitable events. Group has spearheaded there own events to help these and other local charitable groups.

Chaplain Volunteer Program at Eastern State - The "Ministry of Presence" is the pastoral care program at the hospital featuring lay volunteers. The program includes listening, prayer, Scripture reading, hymn signing, and other visitation with patients.
Everette (Thumper) and Heather Newman, “A Gift from Ben” – Regularly provide food to about 1,500 people. Thumper delivers food 7 days a week and 3 days a week provides food at the James City Community Church where it is distributed to needy families.

Grove Christian Outreach Center Volunteers - volunteers serve with a selfless love and sacrifice. 1,100 families who have a variety of needs from financial to spiritual have been able to trust the love and care of these volunteers over the last 3 years, providing respect, dignity and hope at a time when they seem to have none.

Mr. Jay Harrison, Sr. - Developed the Neighborhood Basketball League, the Community Development Organization, he is a Minority Parent Council, and along with the many other things he does in his daily life he is also an emergency foster care placement for many of our local youth.

Historic Triangle Substance Abuse Coalition - Promotes the awareness of substance abuse issues in the community and encourages interagency collaboration. The coalition aims to develop a coordinated system of substance abuse treatment, offers substance abuse training opportunities, and develops strategies to prevent and delay the onset of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs by children.

Junior Woman’s Club/Boyer’s Diamond and Gold Source - for the past 6 years these two groups have joined together to brighten Christmas for local foster children in James City County. Dr. Boyer donates 3 pieces of jewelry for the local raffle. The Junior Woman’s Club works cooperatively with him to do the logistics of the raffle. They purchase gift cards with the proceeds from the raffle and deliver them to James City County Social Services prior to Christmas.

Men’s Charity Tennis, Inc., Board of Directors - Hold an annual Charity Tennis Tournament that unites the men’s tennis community and raises money for local causes. In 5 years, they raised $64,000 which was donated to Hospice Support Care.

Patti McKenzie - provides food to homeless/indigent who live in the City of Williamsburg and it’s outlying areas. Raising public awareness of the homeless problem and encourage people with resources to be willing to give, but to give wisely. Patti is also providing encouragement an counseling to those needing a friend. Patti serves over 200 hot meals each week.

Ann Loveridge - Director of the Volunteer home visit program at the Alzheimer’s Association. She brings information and resources into the homes of caregivers.

Andrew Outlaw - The late Mr. Outlaw was an active community volunteer and participated in Eagle Scout projects at FISH, Williamsburg United d Methodist Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wards Lodge. He was a loyal volunteer at both Sentara Williamsburg Community Hospital and Housing Partnerships. He attained the level of Eagle Scout, and earned the Bronze, Gold and Silver Eagle Scout Palms. For Bruton Parish church he served as an acolyte and acolyte team leader as well as being an usher for the Candlelight concerts through the summer of 2003.

Project Phoenix Tutoring and Mentoring Program, The College of William and Mary - Established in 1996 in partnership with the three Williamsburg-James City County middle schools, the program was established to provide William and Mary students the opportunity to impact the lives of middle school youth who are not currently achieving academically and/or socially.

First Night - The alcohol-free event has become a New Year’s Eve staple of Williamsburg. Run by volunteers, the evening draws thousands each year to building in and around the Historic Area and the College of William & Mary.


Winner of the 2004 Annual Cruikshank Award

Heather and Everette Newman's " A Gift From Ben" program 
Nominated by Bobbie McLain, Heidi McCue-Gomes, Andrea Harley and Claire McQuade



Karen Jamison, 2003 Board President, presents Heather Newman with the Cruikshank Award


Pictured: some of the 2004 Cruikshank Nominees - picture taken before the start of the 2003/2004 Annual Meeting