Every year, Lancaster General Health affirms its commitment to volunteerism by inviting employees and Medical & Dental Staff members to apply for Helping Hands ($1,000) and Helping Hand Abroad ($2,500) grants on behalf of not-for-profit organizations with which they volunteer. Thank you to the 2016 recipients for the work they are doing to improve the health and well-being of communities near and far.
The Lancaster-based Helping Hands grants were presented to (from left): David Brubaker, Nicole Fanus, Juan Montes, Wendy Nafziger, and Jessica Townsend.
Helping Hands Abroad grants were awarded to (from left): Dr. Frederick Beyer, Theresa Curcio, Jennifer Fimiani, and Kelly Moore.
SHARE of Lancaster provides support to Lancaster County families who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or an infant. Services aim to guide families through their journey, while supporting their physical and emotional health needs. David Brubaker helped plan the Share Walk to Remember, as well as promote fundraising events.
Meals on Wheels of Lancaster provides two nutritiously balanced meals each day to those in need – one hot and one cold – for $8. Nicole Fanus has served on the board for nearly four years and helps to deliver holiday meals. The grant will help support a financial assistance fund that reduces or removes the cost barrier for individuals who benefit from the program.
The mission of The Common Wheel is to improve lives in Lancaster through the power of bikes. Juan Montes volunteers with the organization’s Earn-A-Bike program. Low-income youth are invited to attend an after-school program, where they learn basic bicycle maintenance and road safety, while building their very own bike.
“Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” That’s the motto of Power Packs Project, a weekend food nourishment and education program that aims to empower families to regularly provide healthy meals so children return to school well-fed and ready to learn. Wendy Nafziger served in various leadership roles and volunteered at the warehouse organizing packs.
The Tommy Foundation works directly with families and individuals impacted by autism and related conditions. TTF offers monthly support meetings, online support, teen programs for socialization, seasonal events and more. Jessica Townsend assists with the planning of annual events and supporting parents with resources and mentoring.
Dr. Frederick Beyer is preparing for his annual trip to East Africa with the Friends of Shirati. The organization provides medical, educational, and developmental assistances to Shirati, Tanzania. The grant will be used to purchase medical and surgical supplies. Dr. Beyer will take these supplies with him when he travels to a Shirati Hospital.
Life Connection Mission operates a school and a medical clinic for the community in Montrouis, Haiti. Theresa Curcio volunteers her time by providing medical care in the mobile clinics, treating patients for malaria, scabies, typhoid and other ailments. The grant will help the organization continue to provide education and medical care for those in need at the Life Connection Missions School and the village of Montrouis.
The MIVO Foundation is dedicated to support and improving the lives of the people of Haiti. The foundation is in continuous need of funds to support its clinic and medical mission trips. This year, Jennifer Fimiani traveled to Haiti to provide specialized wound care, as well as health education to more than 200 patients. Fimiani hopes to return to Haiti annually.
For the last 10 years, Kelly Moore has traveled to Ouanaminthe, Haiti, with the Coalition of Children in Need Association (COCINA). COCINA operates a school and medical clinic. The school has more than 2,400 students. The grant will be used to support COCINA and a summer camp for the students.