Giving Back

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Salvation

Army

Alice Cunningham, organizer of the Daybreak Rotary Salvation Army bell ringing project, recently presented a check for $1,000 to Curtis Sadler of the Salvation Army.

The Rotary Chapter normally rings the bell at the “kettle” over two weekends, but this year the weather closed down the operation for two days, so the board of Bentonville/Bella Vista Daybreak Rotary voted to give $1,000 to help make up for the lost revenues. This is an annual event for Daybreak Rotary.

Palliative Care Services

Washington Regional recently received a $150,000 grant to provide palliative care services for patients who are dealing with complicated medical issues.

The grant from the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas will also help fund efforts to increase awareness about the benefits and services of the Washington Regional Palliative Care Team.

A medical specialty focusing on the unique needs of patients who have a serious illness or complex medical condition, palliative care aims to improve a patient’s quality of life by managing troubling symptoms and providing emotional, spiritual and practical support. While it is often provided in conjunction with hospice care, patients who are receiving palliative care typically are still actively investigating treatment options and seeking a cure.

Operation H.O.G.

Before Christmas, Central Research employees came together for the third annual Operation H.O.G. (Handing Out Gratitude) charity event.

Operation H.O.G. was started by Central Research in 2011, with the mission of providing holiday care packages to deployed U.S. service members. The goal for the 2013 event started at 30 care packages. A total of 130 care packages were sent to U.S. service members across the world.

Equestrian Bridges

Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney Faucette Realtors recently presented Equestrian Bridges, helping children with autism, a $5,000 check from a Christmas charity event.

7 Hills Homeless Shelter & LifeSource

Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks donated approximately 2,360 pounds of nonperishable food items to local charities during the months of November and December.

Fayetteville medical center employees collected more than 950 pounds, while employees at the outpatient clinic in MountVernon, Mo., collected almost 1,200 pounds. The Fort Smith and Ozark, clinics also contributed over 200 pounds between them.

The donations went to various charities throughout each location’s community as selected by the employees. In Arkansas those receiving the donations included 7 Hills Homeless Shelter and LifeSource in Fayetteville, Fort Smith Rescue Mission in Fort Smith and the food pantry at the First United Methodist Church in Ozark. In Missouri, the donations went to Saint Susannes’s Food Pantry in Mount Vernon.

Single Parent Scholarship Fund

Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County recently received a $500 donation from Altrusa of Bentonville/Bella Vista.

In 2013, SPSF/BC provided 499 scholarships to 184 students attending college.

Scholarship funds are used to cover basic living expenses, such as rent, utilities, transportation or childcare, as most students have enough financial aid to cover direct school expenses. Students and their children also have access to counseling and academic/career guidance. Donations like this help SPSF/BC fulfill its mission of enabling single parents to attain self-sufficiency through post-secondary education.

Head Start & Children’s House

Christmas for children attending EOA Head Start of Washington County and EOA Children’s House was brighter thanks to Tyson Foods and the local branch of Toys for Tots. Toys for Tots donated more than 1,500 toys to be distributed to the more than 400 children enrolled with EOA Head Start or EOA Children’s House and the siblings of enrolled children. Tyson Foods provided the transportation to deliver the donated toys.

Send information about charitable giving to [email protected]. NWA Media reserves the right to include information only if photos are of poor quality. Deadline is 4 p.m. Friday for Thursday publication.

Northwest Profile, Pages 30 on 01/26/2014