The Piedmont Community Foundation (PCF), in conjunction with 100 Women Strong, has announced the awarding of $75,240 in grants to a wide variety of worthy causes in Loudoun County. PCF also awarded three more grants from other PCF endowments.

In total, eight different organizations are among the recipients of funds that will used, for example, to help equip a new learning center for children with disabilities, to provide legal services for abused women, to purchase a refrigerated vehicle to assist emergency food distribution to the needy and to provide health and safety emergency evacuation kits for the disabled.

The largest award, $25,000, will be used by the Loudoun Interfaith Relief, Inc. to assist in the purchase of a refrigerated van to collect fresh and perishable food donated by area supermarkets, farmers, bakeries and restaurants, which is then distributed among those in need.

The ARC of Loudoun's Open Door Learning Center will receive $16,690 for occupational therapy equipment and classroom furniture for a new learning center that opens this summer to assist children with disabilities and their families, including a preschool that will integrate children with and without disabilities.

A grant of $15,000 was awarded to the Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter (LAWS), to provide legal services for abused women and those needing restraining orders and other legal assistance.

Loudoun Youth Inc. received $14,550 to help support its Friday night after dark gang prevention youth soccer program. And the Loudoun Community Health Center received $4,000 to provide programs for breast feeding education and support.

All of the above grants were funded by 100 Women Strong, a PCF donor group of grant advisors that started in 2008 with the express purpose of supporting organizations and non-profits that contribute to the well being of women and children in Loudoun County.

The Piedmont Community Foundation administers the 100 Women Strong recommended grants, and also awarded three more grants from other PCF endowments.

Round Hill Arts Center received $800 from the Frederick L. Spencer Jr., Memorial Fund to develop a series of art classes and summer art camps to better serve the arts education needs of youth in our community. The Land Trust of Virginia was awarded $600 from the Peter M. Howard Memorial Fund to develop rural village and conservation programs, which support the fund's precept to assist in preservation of open space and historic properties. And the PCF's Community Fund awarded $500 to Every Citizen Has Opportunities, Inc. (ECHO) to supply the disabled adult program participants with health and safety emergency kits if evacuation becomes necessary while on the job.