Contact: Craig Mohre
craigmohre@newalbanyfoundation.org
614.939.8150
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW ALBANY, OHIO (December 9, 2020) – The New Albany Community Foundation’s 18th annual Remarkable Evening benefit was held virtually on December 8th, culminating the Foundation’s year-long celebration of its 25th anniversary. The event featured celebratory remarks by bestselling author and acclaimed historian, Walter Isaacson, and the announcement of the 2020 Jeanne & John G. McCoy Community Service Award recipient, Healthy New Albany Executive Director Angela Douglas.
Angela and Brett Douglas with their sons at a surprise announcement of Angela’s selection as the 2020 recipient of the Jeanne and John G. McCoy Community Service Award. Summer 2020. Photo by James DeCamp.
The Jeanne and John G. McCoy Community Service Award was established by the Foundation in 2004 to recognize citizens who have made a significant impact in the community through their leadership, generosity and volunteerism. Through their philanthropy and community service in New Albany and central Ohio, Jeanne and John G. McCoy embodied the spirit of this award and were the first to be honored with the distinction in 2004 when it was established in their name.
Humble and determined are words often used to describe Angela Douglas. In a year that perhaps more than any other presented unforeseen challenges, Angela exemplifies leadership that makes a difference.
Reflecting on the selection of Angela as the 2020 McCoy Award honoree, Foundation Board Chair Lynne Smith said, “By her example, Angela inspires people to come together in service to the community. She has a heart of service that brightly shines in everything she does.”
Angela was appointed Executive Director of Healthy New Albany earlier this summer, succeeding Dr. Phil Heit who founded and led the organization since 2005. Prior to that, Angela served as Healthy New Albany’s Director of Operations.
Volunteers contributed 3,200 hours in support of the Pantry during the months of January through September 2020. Photos courtesy of the New Albany Food Pantry.
Assuming leadership of Healthy New Albany during the pandemic allowed Angela to apply her entrepreneurial skills and she quickly adapted programs to the changing environment. Healthy New Albany presented 12 New Albany Farmers Markets in a new, safer way because of COVID-19. It also introduced drive-up markets and added new programs including Senior Connections and Integrative Health Classes.
Angela’s work in the community dates back to 2013 when she became involved with the Village Coalition Against Hunger, eventually becoming the director of the small nonprofit that helped support the needs of community members experiencing food insecurity.
Her remarkable passion and commitment to make sure no one experienced hunger drove her toward an expanded role. Amazingly, she even operated the pantry from her home for a year while searching for a permanent, suitable location. In its early days, volunteers picked up food from Angela’s garage to then deliver to the families.
Volunteers contributed 3,200 hours in support of the Pantry during the months of January through September 2020. Photos courtesy of the New Albany Food Pantry.
“I feel like my purpose on the planet is to do good, and to do good work and to serve others in whatever capacity I can,” Angela shared with Healthy New Albany Magazine in a 2017 interview. “I don’t know if I intended to run a food pantry, but you know, you do what’s in front of you. When a need presents itself, you take that.”
Through collaboration and support from the New Albany School district, community volunteers and Foundation donors, the pantry relocated to the annex building at 79 N. High Street on the school campus. And eventually, the food pantry became part of Healthy New Albany. It was renamed the New Albany Food Pantry and Angela served as its Executive Director for six years. Today, the Pantry provides clients living in the New Albany-Plain Local School District with food and personal care items and operates a number of programs including Summer Meals, Community Kitchen classes, cooking demonstrations and more.
Despite unprecedented demand, the New Albany Food Pantry has been able to support families and individuals experiencing food insecurity. During the months of January through September of 2020, more than 126,300 meals were provided to our neighbors in need. Additionally, volunteers devoted 3,200 hours in support of the Pantry.
“The Foundation and the entire community are grateful to Angela not just for what she does, but the way in which she does it,” said Craig Mohre, President of the Foundation. “She’s compassionate, cares deeply about the clients and her enthusiasm inspires others. She’s always quick to recognize the pantry’s team of volunteers. She embodies what the award is all about and therefore, is most deserving.”
New Albany Community Foundation donors responded to the Foundation’s COVID-19 Call to Action that resulted in a $55,000 grant contributed to the New Albany Food Pantry to support neighbors in need. Photo by James DeCamp.
REMARKABLE EVENING, THE NEW ALBANY LECTURE SERIES
Funds raised from Remarkable Evening support the Foundation’s annual grant making to area not-for-profit organizations and support community projects and initiatives. Funds raised also support The New Albany Lecture Series, a leading lecture series presented by the Foundation that features distinguished diplomats, experts on foreign policy, national security, health, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, journalists and historians. In addition to community lectures, speakers have interacted with more than 15,000 students representing school districts across central Ohio.
Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over $14 million in grants to advance lifelong learning, the arts, health and wellness and environmental sustainability. These grants are made possible through the support of generous donors and sponsors who contribute annually through Remarkable Evening or who have established endowment funds at the Foundation. Contributions have also helped make possible transformational projects like the New Albany Branch Library, the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, the Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany and the highly anticipated Charleen & Charles Hinson Amphitheater.
Lead sponsors for this year’s Remarkable Evening included American Electric Power, The Berend Family and JIS Orthopedics, Facebook, Huntington, The New Albany Company, Nickolas Savko & Sons, Inc. and Dan Snyder & lower.com.
This year, the New Albany Lecture Series converted to virtual and free programs while also adding Conversations on Social Justice that featured respected authors and scholars Michelle Alexander, Eddie Glaude Jr. and Ibram X. Kendi. Thousands of people participated in the two programs in September and October of this year. The remaining lectures will also be virtual complimentary with registration in advance required at newalbanyfoundation.org. The next lecture will occur on January 27, 2021 at 7pm.
THE COVID-19 CALL TO ACTION
During the 25th anniversary year, the Foundation modified its original plans and shifted its efforts to meet the unexpected challenges presented by the global pandemic. By quickly organizing a COVID-19 Call to Action, the Foundation was able to provide a way for the community to support neighbors in need, a safe return to school and more. The Foundation led campaign raised $200,000 which has been contributed in the form of grants to the New Albany Food Pantry, New Albany Schools and organizations helping with the production of PPE equipment for first responders and including Form5 Prosthetics, The Digital Eagles Robotics team and The Antidote Robotics team.
More information can be found at newalbanyfoundation.org