Food and fellowship kicked off the fifth annual Newton Fund’s grantee reception Tuesday night at Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast in Covington.

This year, the Newton Fund awarded more than $12,500 in competitive grants to three local nonprofits. The first grant of the night was given to The Newton Mentoring Program, which was developed to provide much-needed individual support for public school students in Newton County.

Lisa Hanson, Scott Willis and Barbara Morgan of the grant committee announced the winners of the Newton Fund awards.

The second grant given to Newton County Community Partnership, a nonprofit that’s a part of Family Connection Partnership, a Georgia statewide network of 159 collaboratives that works to improve conditions for children, families and communities.

The final grant of the night went to Damascus Road Recovery, an organization offering individual and group counseling services.

When it was time for the eponymous "Pat Patrick Big Heart Award," Pat Patrick himself announced the winner. The award goes to a local individual making a measurable difference through his or her volunteerism in the community. As the name was read, Louise Adams’ smiling face emerged from the crowd.

Adams spoke briefly saying she was overjoyed to receive this award and thanked everyone for the honor. She received a $2,000 grant to designate to her favorite nonprofit, which is, of course, the Washington Street Community Center she helped found and still volunteers with.