Grant for Van Helps Red Cross Transport Seniors to and from Medical Appointments
Data from the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging shows transportation to medical appointments ranked second among the top five unmet needs for local seniors. Each year Red Cross Community Transportation Program drivers take seniors on more than 18,000 trips. As part of the Capital Improvement Initiative in Franklin County, $48,047 was awarded to the Red Cross Community Transportation Program for the purchase of a handicapped and wheelchair accessible lift van.
Michael Carroll, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus is grateful for the funding received from Osteopathic Heritage Foundation. “There is a great need in Franklin County for efficient, reliable and safe transportation for low income, older adults and persons with disabilities. With funding from the Foundation, the new van will complete 2,900 trips annually, expanding service and transporting more people to medical appointments who otherwise would find transportation difficult or not available. Additionally, replacing an aging van that was nearing service limits, the new vehicle will save the Red Cross thousands of dollars in repair and maintenance."
Transportation to medical appointments “a Godsend.”
Red Cross staff report numerous letters of appreciation from transportation clients; and that Avonia and Charles Friece are memorable among the many appreciative individuals whose lives have been made better because of their ability to get needed medical appointments. Charles has multiple systems atrophy, a rare disease which causes widespread damage to the autonomic nervous system. As a result, his mobility is limited which makes it difficult to perform vital tasks such as getting to doctor’s appointments.
When Avonia was not able to drive Charles, they called the Red Cross Community Transportation Program for assistance and were placed with Dan Stumpf, a friendly veteran driver whom Avonia adamantly praised. “Dan is a friendly driver who is thoughtful, patient, and a fantastic person,” states Avonia. Every month he picks up the couple and drives Charles to his doctor’s appointment in a prompt and helpful manner. In her parting words, she noted that “Red Cross is a God send” and they did not know what they would do without it.
Over a Decade of Support to the Red Cross
The Foundation is pleased to again partner with the community’s Red Cross in helping to enhance critical services provided to residents in need. “The Red Cross is commended for its efforts to improve the health and quality of life in our community,” stated Terri Donlin Huesman, Director of Programs, “and the Foundation is proud of its support and partnership over the past 10 years.”
Early in the Foundation’s grantmaking, the Red Cross quickly surfaced as a successful and effective non-profit organization – serving as a community leader, collaborator and developer of innovative approaches to address pressing community needs. Since 1999, the Foundation has approved over $630,000 in support of mission-related programs and services at the Red Cross, including Safety City, Blood Services, Family Care Giving, Disaster Preparedness and Relief, and this year the community transportation program serving vulnerable older adults and persons with disabilities. The provision and coordination of transportation services to needed medical and social services are essential elements that help keep older adults and persons with disabilities healthy and independent.
Prior year capital investments:
In 2008, six projects received funding totaling $500,000 from the Foundation –resulting in program and service expansion through various capital investments, for example:
• Easter Seals, which serves children with autism, exceeded its goal of 90% children completing its early intervention program and will enroll in a licensed pre-school program. Easter Seals received $100,000 from the Foundation.
• Mid-Ohio Foodbank opened its new LEED certified facility in 2010, which tripled its capacity to serve 535 pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, homeless shelters and afterschool programs in twenty central and eastern Ohio counties. $100,000 was awarded from the Foundation to support MidOhio Foodbank’s capital campaign.
In 2009, the Foundation approved $454,205 for 10 capital projects designed to improve non-profit organization’s ability to provide direct client services – through facility renovations, transportation and technology. With funding from the Foundation, as an example,
• Low-income older adults will now receive personal care services in Heritage Day Health Centers adult day program
• 1,000 individuals and families (up from 340) will receive food through the Salvation Army’s new food pantry on Karl Road.
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