HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 144 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 8, 2008 Commending the Richmond Gay Community Foundation. ---------- Patron-- McClellan ----------

WHEREAS, the Richmond Gay Community Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to raise funds “to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people” in the Richmond community; and

WHEREAS, the Richmond Gay Community Foundation is the parent organization of the Gay Community Center of Richmond (GCCR) that operates two major fundraising enterprises―Diversity Thrift Store and Diversity Bingo; and

WHEREAS, Diversity Thrift, which is one of the largest thrift stores in Richmond, opened its doors in August 2000 and Diversity Bingo began operations in October 2002; and

WHEREAS, the hardworking volunteers of Diversity Thrift and Diversity Bingo stock shelves; sort, tag, and hang clothing; sort and stock books and music; display furniture and antiques; drive the delivery trucks; run the retail and fundraising operations; and help staff the Bingo games; and

WHEREAS, since its inception, GCCR has been able to award $248,608 in grants to programs that benefit lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens in need in the Richmond area, and the organization has donated $199,416 to nonprofit organizations that benefit the LGBT community; and

WHEREAS, the Richmond Gay Community Foundation expects to continue to expand its mission and services over time, enabling the organization to provide millions of dollars to programs that benefit LGBT citizens in need, and to establish a permanent, multiple-use facility that will serve the Richmond LGBT community for years to come; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend the Richmond Gay Community Foundation on its many achievements; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Richmond Gay Community Foundation as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for the organization's efforts to aid worthy programs and charities that help citizens in need in the Richmond community.