The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands has announced the call for nominations for the first-ever Maria Rodriguez Van Heurck Award, designed to recognize individuals who exemplify a spirit of generosity, selfless service, community love, and a positive outlook on life.
The award comes with a cash grant of $5,000 to assist the selected nominee in carrying out charitable activities in either the U.S. Virgin Islands or British Virgin Islands.
"Each year Virgin Islanders will have the opportunity to nominate an individual that shows up for people the way my mom did – with a smile on their face and with nothing expected in return," said Charlotte Van Heurck, daughter of Maria Rodriguez, as she announced the inaugural award cycle.
The Maria Rodriguez Foundation Fund, established in partnership with CFVI in 2021 by family and friends of Ms. Rodriguez, seeks to honor her legacy. She was known for her remarkable contributions to the community, including the relief efforts in the aftermath of the devastating hurricanes of 2017. "Her instinct was to help, to give, to love, and to show up," Ms. Van Heurck remarked, emphasizing her mother's commitment to making a difference in everyday life.
CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown promised transparency in how the award funds will be spent. "In this way, Maria’s legacy of everyday acts of profound kindness may live on," she stated.
Residents of both the USVI and BVI are eligible for nominations, which must be submitted by December 31, 2023, through CFVI's online grant portal. Beth Nuttall, director of Grants and Programs at CFVI, is available for further inquiries and can be reached at [email protected].
This award stands as a tribute to Maria Rodriguez's enduring legacy and the values she embodied, encouraging a spirit of giving and community service across the Virgin Islands.
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