Holiday Wishes

Over the past year we have watched in sadness the growing numbers of children move from a life of concern to desperation. Poverty seems to be the fastest growing sector of America with little hope in sight.

The election rhetoric did little more than raise awareness, but maybe that was all that was needed. I wonder … did you hear it? Both candidates and all those I heard on the local level declared what a mess we’re in economically. Well the elections are over, save for a couple of recounts and the mess continues.

Wait for January is what I hear, but what I see are countless children…American children … who can’t wait for January. When do you plan to eat again? Bet it is before January. Will you have warm clothes before January? Will you sleep in a warm space before January? Many won’t.

The good news is you can help. You don’t know any of those children? Short on time to volunteer? We do. We know many of them. That is why our charity exists. We and other charities like us are the pipeline, the hand that bridges the space between you and those in need.

As this holiday season rapidly approaches we are asking you to help us to help them. Even if you can only afford ten dollars it will make a difference. Please this season is special. Special for you if you have a little extra and special for many who don’t have enough. With no salaried employees or officers we feel we operate efficiently and effectively insuring your wish of helping comes true.

Just last week a mother need diapers and our local police chief came by, picked some up and delivered them to her. Working together to help. What we all need to do. Without a generous donor last week that baby would not have clean diapers today.

You can make a difference right now. Click here and make a donation of $10.00; $25.00 $50.00 or more to help a child today. Because it is the right thing to do.

On behalf of the children – Thank you.

Working Together

Awhile back we wrote about the economy falling apart and how it was having a negative impact on our families and children at the edge of poverty. Since then we have seen even more decline in the economy, higher gas prices, increased food costs and more homes going on the auction block after repossession.

Today we saw one of the largest declines in the history of the stock market. One report by the Governor of New York said that as many as 30,000 jobs could be going away on Wall Street. These are not $10.00 per hour jobs. These folks make hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.

The bottom line? Our business of helping poor women, children and families and especially victims of child abuse is one of the few businesses that are still growing. We are sad to say it, but we do not see any end in sight and frankly we need your help.

We can not imagine not being able to provide a child friendly facility, a team of professionals from social services to medical professionals to trained child abuse investigators to take care of these innocent victims. As you might imagine many of the wonderful people who were able to help us in the past are now finding themselves in difficult times and can’t continue. So here we are an increasing need with more and more children and declining resources to help.

Last week, like an angel from heaven, our local hospital, St. John’s of Berryville, their Foundation and the Sisters of Mercy decided to reach out and make a difference by sponsoring seven of our children. We are so deeply grateful for their thoughtfulness and compassion. Their example of joining in the effort even when so many small community hospitals are also suffering from the weak economy and rising costs speaks to all of us.

I’ve included St. John’s Hospital’s press release because they say it better than we could. Working together to make life better for abused children. If you would like to join St. John’s in helping click here to go to our secure on-line donation site.

Thank You

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEP 15, 2008

ST. JOHN’S DONATION TO HELP CHILD VICTIMS OF TRAGEDY

St. John’s Foundation – Berryville presented a $2,520 check to The Merlin Foundation, a nonprofit charity providing assistance to victims of child abuse, rape, and domestic violence in the Ozark Mountain region of Northwest Arkansas. The donation was provided by the Sisters of Mercy who are part of the Regional Community of St. Louis – a group of Sisters who engage in a variety of ministries that serve women, children, the poor and the uneducated. The funding will allow St. John’s Foundation – Berryville to sponsor seven local children.

“As our economy has deteriorated, the needs have increased dramatically, and unfortunately, our donors are having difficulties too. This is the time we must all pull together and partner to improve Carroll County,” said Dr. Merlin Leach, Executive Director for The Merlin Foundation.

“We applaud the many good works Merlin and the Foundation have done to assist women and children in this community; and as part of our mission, we are grateful to be supporting this program,” said Kristy Noble, St. John’s Hospital – Berryville President.

The Merlin Foundation is dedicated to providing health, education, social services, advocacy and lobbying on behalf of children, women and families, to make tomorrow better than today for future generations.

“The Merlin Foundation is a vital asset to Carroll County. St. John’s Foundation – Berryville is pleased to partner in the outreach efforts of the Merlin Foundation which has, and continues to, assist women and children across Northwest Arkansas,” explained Nicole Hoppel, St. John’s Foundation – Berryville Executive Director.

About St. John’s Foundation – Berryville
St. John’s Foundation – Berryville manages the fundraising activities of St. John's Hospital-Berryville with a goal of enhancing health services to the Region. Currently, St. John’s Foundation-Berryville supports health care scholarships, new technology and capital needs for St. John’s Hospital-Berryville. In addition, the foundation has the responsibility for planned giving and other areas of support for the hospital.

Board Changes

We were very pleased and disappointed at the same time when our Board Chairman was elected the position of Circuit Judge on May 20th. Judge, Gerald “Kent” Crow has been a District Judge serving Eastern Carroll County. We are very happy for Kent and want to thank him for his ten years of service on our Board, but since there could be an appearance of conflict with Kent hearing Child Abuse cases which we have helped investigate Kent tendered his resignation. A loss for us, but a true blessing for the children and families we serve. Kent has demonstrated a passion for the children and a sense of fairness which will benefit everyone who comes before him.

We know a great part of our success and growth over these past ten years has been due to Kent’s leadership and dedication to our mission. We will never be able to thank him enough for his service.

At our Board meeting of June 30th. the Board voted to elect to the Board, Ms. Shelley Summers. Shelley has been a member of our Advisory Board since 1994 and a strong supporter. With over 17 years as a police detective sgt. and service as a juvenile probation officer she will be a great asset to the Board and our Foundation's leadership. Shelley is married to Billy Summers who is a Paramedic/Firefighter with the Eureka Springs Fire-Rescue Department. They have three children and live in Eureka Springs. Shelley is currently working for ADT Security Systems and completing her Masters Degree in Leadership and Ethics at John Brown University.

At that same meeting the Board members elected Ms. Anita Engert to serve as Chairperson and Michelle Steiner to serve as Secretary Treasurer.

We are looking forward to many more years of serving women, children and families and are sincerely thankful there are those who will take the time from their busy schedules to add to the leadership of our Foundation.

Greenspan Declares Recession – DUH

Over the last five years those of us who work with people who have slipped from barely making a living into devastating poverty are in no way surprised by Mr. Greenspan’s statements yesterday. There has been a recession going on for our lower income citizens since the price of gas went over two and a half dollars.

Working single mothers, minimum wage earners and those who rely on generous tips from their customers hit the benchmark and have continued to fall further and further into desperation. Making decisions no American should have to make. Decisions like, do I buy my medicine or do I buy food? Do I go to the doctor or do I try to ride this illness out and feed my family?

As many of you know we have a project providing Outreach, Education and Screening Mammograms for women and men who are underinsured, uninsured or can not afford their co-payments for regular breast screenings, diagnostic or ultrasound procedures in Carroll and Madison Counties of Northwest Arkansas.

Each year we not only pay for these procedures we reach out to over two thousand women with educational programs and literature on breast health and breast self-examinations. We even have a breast care navigator to assist those who do find they need additional procedures to help them through the complex maze of the medical world which becomes even more complex when you do not have insurance or money to pay for these effective but very costly procedures.

In the last 15 months we have provided over $57,750 in financial assistance and have a commitment for over $42,000 for these services over the next 12 months. That amounts to nearly $100,000 in breast care in 27 months.

While every one of us involved in the project gasps when someone gets negative results our hearts raise up a prayer of thanks that we might be a small part of saving someone’s life. We have seen the faces of women whose lives have been saved because of these early detection and educational programs.

The next question is where do we get the funds to continue this needed service in these low income areas? The answer is two sources. The main source in the Ozark Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen, For the Cure. Where do they get their money? A lot of sources, but the main source is their annual “Race for the Cure” held in Springdale, Arkansas. This year it will be held – come rain or shine – on April 19th. I personally, our Board and those two thousand women who count on us are asking you to come out and join in this fun and worthwhile event. For more information call the Affiliate Office at (479) 750-PINK. You’ll have a great time, meet many wonderful people, many who are survivors, and be helping so many in these difficult times.

The other source is from people just like you. People who care about those less fortunate and want to be part of saving lives in this area. You can donate on-line at our website and specify for Women’s Health or any one of our successful projects or programs by clicking here

If filling your gas tank with $3.25 a gallon gas is an aggravation and not a choice between getting to work or feeding your children… make a difference… right now. Call the Affiliate and sign up for the race or make your direct gift right now.