During their recent meeting in Greensboro, Matt Thomas (left) of Camp Cale and Warren Steen of the Rye Foundation discussed the need for increased philanthropy in the rural and coastal regions of North Carolina.
The Rye Foundation has announced the winner of its annual Ray Bryan Award, and the recipient is Camp Cale in Hertford.
Warren Steen, the President of the Rye Foundation, said the award recognizes a faith-based organization which is making a positive and lasting impact on children and youth. He reported that the award is given each December, and the winner receives $25,000 to enhance and expand its programming.
“We are surprised, excited, and humbled by this wonderful news,” said Matt Thomas, the director of the 90-acre camp.
According to Thomas, the camp will use the funds to launch a leadership initiative to identify “leaders of tomorrow” in area high schools. Participants are expected to come from a 5-county region that includes Nags Head, Manteo, and Hertford. They will receive extensive training to recognize and utilize their God-given talents, and many are expected to return to the camp as counselors.
Based in Winston-Salem, the Rye Foundation makes charitable investments in the areas of religion, youth, and education. The foundation has earmarked a total of $100,000 to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Bryan, a Goldsboro businessman and philanthropist who died in 2016 at the age of 84.
“Ray Bryan really cared about children,” said Steen, “and he believed that God has a special plan for every child. The award that bears his name will ultimately help thousands of boys and girls across our state.”
Philanthropic support from the Rye Foundation includes major gifts to the following Eastern North Carolina organizations: Boys and Girls Homes in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell, Matthew 25 Center in Tabor City, Camp Vandemere near New Bern, and Young Life on the Crystal Coast in Morehead City.