The Mathews Community Foundation gave out 37 awards to local organizations at its annual awards dinner Thursday, May 18, held at St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church in Mathews.

Board chairman Ron Lambert gave a bit of history about the foundation, saying it was established in 1999 with $1,500, but that it has grown over the past 24 years to $220,000 annually. The first grant of $1,500 was awarded in 2001, he said, while this year’s awards totaled $190,983.

Lambert said that vice chairman Bill Whitley will step into the chairman’s position next year, and he recognized grants committee chairman John Sieg, director of affiliate foundations Lincoln Boykin, regional affiliates associate Ashleigh Elliott, philanthropic adviser Jonathan Putt, past chair Janice Phillips, and office manager Margaret Owens.

The foundation seeks not only to award grants but also to change things for the good, said Lambert. With that in mind, he said, it has set up a money market account to be use...