Our Beginning
The Power of Three
Three is a recurring number in the founding and running of Campbell County Educational Foundation that helps prepare students for life after high school while fueling a pipeline of workers into the Campbell County region. Three women at the helm raise money for academic programming from three sectors — corporations, foundations and individuals. Three coordinating organizations each play a critical role — the Campbell County School System that brings students along at a critical time in their growth and development; Central Virginia Community College that offers instruction, labs and equipment; and local corporations that give input on programming and donate equipment.
For more than a decade three friends gathered in Williamsburg, tagging along with their husbands for an annual conference.
Through the years, their husbands’ concerns morphed to their own with rising drop out rates and students who struggled in the traditional classroom. They also had firsthand experiences, based on the experiences of their family and friends, with the critical need for curriculum alternatives.
So in 2015, over soup and sandwiches at The Cheese Shop, Susan Brandt, Rose Epperson and Viki Mattox brainstormed. They’d heard about educational foundations in nearby geographic areas that helped fund various programs. After returning home, they met with the school superintendent who was fully supportive of the concept, reiterating that several county supervisors at that time weren’t keen on supporting dual enrollment through the CTE program with Central Virginia Community College.
Epperson filed paperwork in June 2016 incorporating the Campbell County Educational Foundation as a 501(3c), initially focused on keeping the dual enrollment program afloat, specifically preparation for trade schools.
As time went on, the school district renewed its commitment and enthusiasm for funding CTE, which also prepares students for college, the military or getting jobs out of high school. As a result, the school system has shifted its focus in recent years to ancillary needs such as books and supplies. Simultaneously, CCEF has broadened its scope to support college and career readiness programs at all four Campbell County schools and a middle school speaker series to inspire young students at Altavista Combined School.
In addition, Altavista created a separate space called the Future Center with its own director, that offers individual counseling, SAT prep workshops, FAFSA filing help and college visits. The goal is to establish similar centers at the other three high schools.
The founders bring different skills to the effort. Epperson, who ran a print business with her husband and had worked in development, takes the lead as board president. Mattox, who keeps the books for her husband’s trucking business, was a natural to handle finances, and Brandt brings well-honed marketing expertise after working in that arena for more than 20 years at Centra.
The rewards are tangible. The founders attend student signing day every spring where soon-to-be graduates who have accepted jobs are recognized. “I can’t describe how great it is to see some of these kids coming out of high school with grown up jobs they are excited about,” Viki Mattox said. “It’s so rewarding to see them become really good people, honest, hard-working citizens.
“We are providing students with a future, well paying jobs in areas where workers are in short supply. It’s a win-win, a game changer for students and employers.”
– Susan Brandt, Board Vice President
“We’re working to increase our recognition so that the individual donors will know about us and realize what a treasure is right here to help in the community.”
— Rose Epperson, Board President
“We need to make sure our kids get these opportunities, especially when you’re in a more rural county. You have to make sure these cool things come to your kids, whatever that looks like.”
— Viki Mattox, Board Treasurer