Mary Washington Community Benefit Fund Continues Support for Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation

As one of the largest and longest partners of Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation, the Mary Washington Hospital Foundation has continued their support with the Joe and Mary Wilson Community Benefit Fund in 2025. The grant spans three of GGF’s core programs, including Hands-Only CPR and AED Training, Placement of AEDs, and Awareness Events. Over the course of MWHF’s support, more than 4,500 individuals have been trained, and more than 55 AEDs have been placed throughout the Rappahannock Region. 

Gwyneth’s Gift has kicked off 2025 by training 90 individuals to date, with the majority being students of all ages. The new Academy of Technology and Innovation at UMW started their inaugural year with GGF and will be joining other schools, such as Livingston Elementary, in the annual training schedule. The first AED of 2025 was gifted to Pure Barre in Fredericksburg, and the second is en route to Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio. 

The Community Health Information Resource, hosted by Mary Washington Healthcare, assists us in determining which localities exhibit the greatest need for services. Fredericksburg City, Spotsylvania, Caroline, all fall in the lowest 25% of Virginia counties for overall Clinical Care ranking and Stafford falls in the lowest 50%. These four localities continue to receive the majority of GGF’s services in the Rappahannock Region.

We aspire to be the first region in Virginia to significantly increase the survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest through a community-based Culture of Action. The MWHF Community Benefit Fund ensures our ability to continue to serve our home region of the Rappahannock. Gwyneth’s Gift is incredibly thankful for the ongoing support of Mary Washington Hospital Foundation and looks forward to the work we will continue to do together.

About Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation: Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to saving lives through education and action. Founded in honor of Gwyneth Griffin, The Foundation focuses on raising awareness and training of Hands-Only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to prevent tragic incidents and empower communities to respond effectively in emergency situations.

For media inquiries, interview requests, or further information about Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation, please contact:

Veronica Gutierrez 
veronica@gwynethsgift.org
540-681-1632

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Joel Griffin

Chairman & Co-Founder

Joel Griffin is co-founder and chairman of Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation. Gwyneth’s Gift was founded in 2015 by Joel and Jennifer Griffin in honor of their oldest daughter, Gwyneth. He is also an entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist with 25 years of private industry consulting experience and 20 years in government contracting. He is the Founder and CEO of Riphean, a regional growth management firm.

Joel is committed to philanthropy within the region through local nonprofits and organizations that strengthen local communities. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, Stafford Hospital Foundation, and Germanna Educational Foundation. Joel was recognized for his impact and leadership within the region, receiving the Prince B. Woodward Leadership Award in 2022.

In addition to the regional award, Joel received the Valor Award from Loudon County for his life-saving efforts in an emergency. He also received the Patriotic Civilian Service Award given by the U.S. Army for actions taken immediately and following 9/11 at The Pentagon in 2001.