Local Couple Selected as First Recipients of Noah Z.M. Goetz Foundation Family Building Blocks Award

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Oct. 30, 2014 - PRLog -- Oct. 28, 2014 – Chapel Hill, NC – Angela and Larry Tollen, of Chapel Hill, N.C, were recently selected to receive the first ever Noah Z. M. Goetz (NZMG) Foundation Family Building Blocks Award.  The Family Building Blocks Award, established to honor individuals and organizations for their notable support, will be formally presented to Larry and Angela Tollen at the Foundation’s 4th Annual Family Building Blocks Gala on Thursday, November 13th.

“I can think of no other couple more deserving of this honor than the Tollens,” says Nate Goetz, founder of the NZMG Foundation. “Larry and Angela have been instrumental in the success of our foundation since the very beginning. It is thanks to their generous support that we were able to establish the grant endowment fund. As a result, we have awarded nine grants and assisted eight couples to date in successfully adopting children.”

The NZMG Foundation provides educational and financial support to North Carolina couples navigating the complex and emotionally fraught adoption process. Earlier this year, Dori and Terrence Wilson of Greensboro were chosen as recipients of the Angela and Larry Tollen Family Grant. The Tollens’ namesake grant has helped the Wilsons cover a portion of the significant fees and costs associated with adopting a child.

The Family Building Blocks Gala, held at the Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh, will take place from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy an open beer and wine bar, hors d’oevures and silent and live auctions. Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher and 2013 American League Rookie of the Year finalist will be this year’s Honorary Chair. Proceeds from tickets sales as well as the silent and live auctions will fund future grants that benefit adopting couples in North Carolina.

Each year, the NZMG Foundation uses interest gained from the principal of its endowment fund to award a number of $1,000 grants. For every dollar donated, 20% is invested in the principal of the NZMG Foundation Grant Endowment Fund, and 80% is used for current-year grants. This allows the number of grants to increase over time as the fund grows.

The Gala is the only major fundraising event of 2014 for the NZMG Foundation. Tickets are still available for purchase at www.nzmgfoundation.org/gala. Prices are $60.00 for individuals or $100.00 per couple.