A look at ‘Gives’ participants

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By Joseph Pratt

[email protected]

Dozens upon dozens of non-profit organizations work around the clock, and around the calendar, to make the area a better place. From assisting homeless people to homeless pets, from education supplements to artistic opportunities; the area is bountiful with dedicated locals committed to the betterment of our home.

It is that time of year again for many of these organizations to reap the benefits of matched donations, thanks to the staff at the Scioto Foundation.

The Scioto Foundation offers many opportunities for community development, from scholarships to watching over endowment funds. They will be matching incoming donations to their registered non-profit organization accounts this year with the annual Scioto Gives event.

The Scioto Gives event is an annual fund raising drive that is held through the Scioto Foundation. The Foundation encourages and entices donations by offering a match to funds. They recently received a $10,000 donation that has raised their match price to now offer $40,000 in matching funds.

Last year’s event awarded $80,258.95 in funds to participating groups.

26 organizations will be partaking in the Scioto Gives event this year on October 22.

Some of the non-profit organizations dedicated to helping the community through healthcare and emergency needs include Community Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Southern Ohio Medical Center, The Counseling Center through Compass Health, Ohio River Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The Ohio River Valley American Red Cross helps those affected by flooding, home fires and other disasters in Scioto, Pike, Jackson, Lawrence, Adams and Brown Counties. Last quarter, July 2015-September 2015, the Red Cross was able to help 391 individuals in the area. They also provided 111 clean up kits and worked on installing smoke detectors to help decrease deaths and injuries caused by home fires. Red Cross also collects and distributes nearly half of the nation’s blood. They teach first aid and CPR classes as well, which helps prepare many in the community for emergencies.

“Our programming speaks for itself and is why donor support is so important,” Director Debbie Smith said. “Thanks to those generous donors and sponsors who participate, neighbors can count on immediate aid in times of crisis, as well as the ongoing support they need to put their lives back together. Your support can help make a difference in so many ways to those in our community.”

Community Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is participating in Scioto Gives to provide more opportunities for the deaf and hard of hearing children to attend events related to their hearing loss. This will also allow them to provide transportation for the whole family to be involved with the child, and give them the opportunity to meet other parents who are going through the same challenges that they face every day. CSDHH’s goals are to raise awareness about hearing loss, realize how important it is for the children to understand their hearing loss, and assist families of individuals with hearing loss.

Since 1984, the Counseling Center, Inc. has offered alcohol and other drug treatment services and support to the community. Focusing on integrated care of mind, body and spirit, the Counseling Center, Inc. treatment program includes primary health care, job employment support services, aftercare services, supportive recovery housing and transitional programs to help people in recovery rebuild their families and learn to live drug and alcohol free. At the Counseling Center, they believe people do recover and go on to lead meaningful and productive lives.

“It is such an honor to be part of the Scioto Foundation’s Scioto Gives One Day Giving campaign again this year. We will be reaching out to our friends, employees, alumni and general recovery community to support the Counseling Center’s efforts to grow our endowment fund, so we know we will be able to provide support to people battling addiction for many years to come,” Gina Collinsworth, community relations and development director for The Counseling Center, Inc. and Compass Community Health, said.

Shawnee Mental Health Center, Inc. (SMHC) has been part of the community for 40 years. They have provided quality services to the adults and children whose lives have been touched by mental illness. They have provided, and continue to provide, counseling, medication services, case management, crisis intervention, therapeutic foster care services, respite care and now we provide primary care services.

“We are the area’s first health home for people with serious mental illness, but our neighbors, friends and families, who have been affected by mental illness, and live in poverty, often need more. They need help with housing or transportation, and our youth need structured summer programs designed to elevate their self esteem and re-direct problematic behaviors, and even shoes and socks for school,” a release sent to the Daily Times read.

Contributions from donors will be received on the SF website, www.sciotogives.org from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on October 22. Using the pull-down menu on the website, donors can select their charity and the amount they wish to donate, list credit card information and press “donate.”

Donors can also drop checks off at the Foundation’s office at 303 Chillicothe Street or transfer stocks between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the designated day.

Reach Joseph Pratt at 740-353-3101, ext. 1932, or by Twitter @JosephPratt03.

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