Good Samaritan Foundation Accounces 2010 Community Funding Allocations

The Good Samaritan Health Center Foundation has announced recipients for its 2010 community funding allocations.

Through its fundraising efforts, this year, the Good Samaritan Foundation will award just over $20,000 dollars to eleven area agencies to fund programs to help those in need in the Merrill community.

Including this years recipients, the Foundations annual community allocation process has provided more than $80,000 to Merrill area agencies over the past four years.

“The members of our foundation board and its supporters take great pride in their role as Good Samaritans of the Community,” said Foundation Director Kathy Brecke. “It is in this spirit that we are proud to support these agencies as a part of our desire to find the most effective ways to make a long-lasting meaningful impact by continually improving the health and well – being of all people, especially the poor, in the communities we serve.”

Recipients of Community Allocations from the Good Samaritan Foundation in 2010 are:

• "Our Time" Adult Social Respite Program $2,500, Merrill Senior Center
• This program supports the needs of those affected by Alzheimer’s and other related dementia by providing a structured program in a protective setting while attending to the needs of the caregivers.
• "After the Bell" After School Program $2,000,Lincoln County UW-Extension/After the Bell Steering Committee
• This program provides a safe place for middle school students to go after school, have a healthy snack, and participate in enrichment activities. In the past five years, nearly 50% of the youth that participate each year quality for free and reduced lunches.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central Wisconsin $750
• Program of volunteers who provide additional support, guidance and friendship to youth while inspiring, influencing and encouraging youth to become more confident, competent and caring individuals through Community and School Based Mentoring.
• Bridge Rural Dental Clinic $800
• Office equipment for patient advocate that will assist people in completing Medicaid eligibility paperwork at St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Center.
• Community Food Pantry - Merrill $5,000
• The Community Food Pantry’s mission and purpose is to serve neighbors in need in cooperation with other people of goodwill. It is the only food pantry serving Merrill’s area-wide population
• Comunidad Hispana $2500
• Comunidad Hispana provides services to area Hispanics who are underrepresented and underserved. Healthcare Navigator Program will provide point of entry for Hispanics into the healthcare system, making it possible for them to find and access the health services they need.
• Saint Vincent de Paul Free Clinic $3,500
• The Free Clinic’s vision of social responsibility is that all people, regardless of race or income, deserve basic health care services. The Clinic offers basic medical care to Lincoln County residents who do not have access to health care. Funding from the Good Samaritan Foundation will support an enhanced prescription medication program for Uninsured Lincoln County Residents.
• HAVEN $1,000
• Household Abuse Victims Emergency Network, Inc.
• New phone system to provide crisis line services and telephone client contacts
• Employee Advised Fund $1,000, Good Samaritan Health Center
• Fund to support the Compassionate Care Fund, a restricted fund of the GSHC Employee Advised Fund. Its intent is to assist patients who need help with transportation, food, telephone cards, clothing, and other basic needs at the time of discharge.
• Healthy Snacks for After School Tutoring $500, Washington Elementary School
• Washington Elementary School provides after school tutoring to students who are struggling in the classroom. Healthy snacks will be provided to the students that attend the tutoring sessions.
• "Take a Break" $500, Lincoln County Respite Committee
• The goal of Lincoln County Respite Committee is to provide financial support for families in need of respite care for their children with disabilities ages 0 to 18 in Lincoln County. This organization provides parents with special needs children the opportunity to schedule certified providers to care for their children.

Total of 2010 Good Samaritan Foundation Allocations: $20,500

The Good Samaritan Foundation organizes various efforts to support Good Samaritan Health Center. From the Annual Golf Outing to planned giving programs seeking to develop long term funding sources for future needs, the work of the Foundation directly benefits the health and well being of the Merrill community.

For more information on the Good Samaritan Foundation, please contact Brecke at 715.539.5042.

A member of Ministry Health Care, Good Samaritan Health Center is sponsored by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. It is a primary care hospital providing inpatient care and surgery, outpatient surgery, oncology services, spiritual services, extended care, a full range of therapy, radiology and laboratory services as well as dialysis, emergency and walk-in clinic services. The mission of the organization is to further the healing ministry of Jesus by continually improving the health and well-being of all people, especially the poor.