The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi’s 19th annual Crystal Ball event on Jan. 19 in Hernando had a record-breaking year with a sellout crowd of 1,100 attendees, 73 sponsors and a live and silent auction.
Besides the announcements of the 2018 Community Stars, one of the highlights was a $725,000 check presentation from Robin Hurdle, president of the Maddox Foundation, to Community Foundation President/CEO Tom Pittman for the final payment of a $10 million endowment match challenge.
The Maddox Foundation had made a matching endowment challenge to the Community Foundation where the Maddox Foundation would match 100 percent of endowment contributions up to $10 million.
“It was an amazing event bringing communities together, creating synergy to enhance the quality of life in 11 counties,” said the Rev. Bartholomew Orr, chairman of the Community Foundation. “The proceeds from the event help the Community Foundation annually give $2 million in grants, help nonprofits become more sustainable, and connect donors’ with causes that matter.”
This year, the Star of Hope honoree was the renowned journalist/author and Holly Springs native Jesse Holland. Holland wrote the companion novel for last year’s top-grossing movie “The Black Panther” after learning about superheroes from reading comic books in a drug store in his hometown.
The Nonprofit of the Year is The Palmer Home for Children, located in Hernando and Columbus. The ministry began in Columbus in 1895 and expanded to DeSoto County in 2003. Three new cottages were opened in 2017 and there are plans to construct a new Wellness Center. Last year, Palmer Home served 204 children.
The Business of the Year was Chawla Hotels, which is the largest privately held hotel company in the Mississippi Delta with 19 hotels, including three in Clarksdale. Brothers Dinesh and Suresh Chawla lead the company that their father established in Greenwood in 1989.
They have a long history of supporting the Boys and Girls Club of the Delta, teachers and students in Leflore County, and have given thousands of dollars in scholarships. This year, the company worked with Coahoma Community College to form the Chawla Hospitality Academy, a training center for employees in the hotel business.
The Woman of the Year was Becky Nowell from Cleveland. Becky is a proven community leader who envisioned “50 Nights of Lights” for downtown Cleveland where she spearheaded efforts that raised over $450,000. She also is the chairman of the board for the GRAMMY Museum that has brought thousands of visitors to Cleveland and provided numerous educational opportunities.
The Man of the Year was Derick Biglane from Hernando. He has been serving DeSoto County for over 15 years. He co-founded the Krewe of Hernando that coordinates numerous community projects.
The Community Foundation manages 235 donor-established funds and has distributed $22.1 million to support more than 700 charitable organizations and activities recommended by its donors, as well as charitable programs established by the foundation.
Established in 2002 with a generous grant from the Maddox Foundation, the Community Foundation serves 11 counties, including Coahoma County. A board of 19 volunteer civic leaders governs the Community Foundation.
