Viewing the Cole Building from across the courtyard near the dining hall. The Governor Morehead School courtyard has lots of open grass, benches and tall pecan trees

February 2023 Newsletter

News Posted on

From the desk of our Board President,
Francisco Chavez:Photo of Francisco Chavez

The beginning of the new year gave the Governor Morehead Foundation board of directors a chance to catch our breaths from all the excitement and important duties from the last bit of 2022. Early in February, the board came together for our annual board retreat where we came up with a strategic plan to build on our partnerships, strengthen our board, recommit to our mission and vision, and define short-term and long-term goals.  Thank you to the Raleigh Country Club for a great retreat that generated innovation, connection, and energy!

We know that with your support, we can achieve our year’s goals, expanding our reach and growing our impact.  Students are returning to in-person conferences and competitions, and inflation has caused a real challenge for what it means to fund requests, but we’re here to meet those challenges head on!
As always, thank you for your support!

Foundation Aid

At its February board meeting, the foundation approved a request from Mr. Melvin Diggs, Governor Morehead School Director, for funding to cover the expenses of one or more goal ball teams to travel to the Virginia School for the Blind in March for a tournament.  This will be the first sports tournament the school has been able to participate in since before COVID.  The board approved up to $1,600 for equipment purchases, food, and other miscellaneous costs.  We look forward to sharing photos and feedback about the trip upon their return!

School News

William Tubilleja, one of the awesome Orientation and Mobility instructors at the Governor Morehead School, is looking into the possibility of partnering with the GMF to offer a spring plant sale.  He will be working with students to grow vegetable seedlings for the community garden at the school, and thought that selling seedlings to members of the community would also be a great experience for the students.  Look for more information coming soon!

This past weekend, a team of students traveled to UNC-Chapel Hill to compete in their 2023 Model United Nations Conference.  We can’t wait to hear all about the experience; we’ll be sure to share in next month’s newsletter!

Fundraising

Join members of the Governor Morehead Foundation at the Red Daisy Festival in Winston-Salem from March 3-4 as we celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of musical legend Doc Watson!  An alumnus of the Governor Morehead School for the Blind, Doc Watson was a well-known guitarist, songwriter, and singer who went on to win seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.  The Red Daisy Fest, a bluegrass/blues/folk music festival will take place at the Big Winston Warehouse from 12-7 pm each day, and all proceeds (there is a suggested donation of $5 for entry) will benefit the Governor Morehead Foundation in support of the Governor Morehead School.

As an ongoing fundraiser, the Governor Morehead Foundation sells four different greeting cards, two of which are birthday cards and two of which are general cards.  These cards are sold both individually and in packs of eight (which include two cards of each design).  On the cover of each card is a photograph of a colorful art project created by one of the students at the Governor Morehead School.  Cards can be purchased for $4 each or $25 for the pack of eight from any GMF board member.  We’ll also have an online GMF store coming soon!  All proceeds from the sale of these cards benefit the school.

Contributions to GMF can always be made through the N.C. State Employees Combined Campaign, or through our website.