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More than 51 health and wellness projects that will be facilitated by non-profit organizations in Rutherford County have received grants totaling $1 million.
Those grants were given as the RHI Legacy Foundation's first grant cycle, and were presented during a dinner reception held recently at the Performing Arts and Conference Center at Isothermal Community College. Originally the grant cycle was going to provide $500,000 for health and wellness projects. However, adjustments in the funding were made after it was realized that many of the projects had longer timelines than 2015.
"RHI Legacy is excited about the opportunity to provide funding through the Foundation this evening of more than $1 million to organizations in our community addressing health and wellness needs," said Matt Bright, chairman of RHI Legacy Inc. "The asset base allowing RHI Legacy, which formerly was Rutherford Hospital Inc., to make this significant contribution is a result of the recent joint venture with Duke LifePoint. More importantly, we want to recognize the hard work of the many people associated with Rutherford Hospital Inc. over the years who have helped make this possible."
"Many of you were here in April when we announced our grant cycle," said Jill Miracle, executive director of the RHI Legacy Foundation. "At that time I made an introduction to our Foundation ... Our original Foundation was chartered in the mid-90s to raise funds for Rutherford Hospital, later RRHS. During that time our donors provided more than $6 million for important capital projects, like an emergency room expansion and new patient safety equipment for the pharmacy."
Later, Miracle continued, funds were raised for screening mammograms for uninsured women and camps for children with asthma and diabetes. Those charity programs are still supported through fundraising efforts today.
With the hospital's affiliation with Duke LifePoint Healthcare, the RHI Legacy Foundation became a separate fundraising and grant-making organization, taking a broader role in supporting non-profit and municipal projects that improve health and wellness in the community. Prior to the grant cycle, Miracle explained, the Foundation had already begun financially supporting food and nutrition programs in local schools, the development and improvement of trails programs and a program with the health department to provide screening mammograms for women without health insurance.
"But tonight, we are completing stage one of our most important initiative - which is to make grants to organizations that share our mission of improving the quality and the length of life of the people who live, work and play in our beautiful part of the world. Our desire is that through the work of the non-profit community, we can make a significant and permanent impact on Rutherford County."
In addition to Miracle, RHI Legacy Foundation Board Chairman Paul McIntosh addressed those in attendance, as did Rutherford Regional Auxiliary Treasurer Jimmy Dancy. The Rutherford Regional Auxiliary presented an additional $29,630 (see list).
Organizations & the grant funding received from RHI Legacy Foundation are:
Health Care:
Cherry Mountain Fire Department - $31,932
Community Health Council of Rutherford County - $10,000
Rutherford Polk McDowell Health Department - $77,700
Nurse Family Partnership - $22,300
Town of Rutherfordton Fire and Rescue - $4,857
Rutherford County Emergency Services - $66,450
Youth Services:
East Rutherford Big Red Booster Club - $16,000
Grahamtown Team - $10,000
Isothermal Community College Foundation Performing Arts & Conference Center - $8,005
Rutherfordton Little League - $5,000
North Carolina Cooperative Extension - $5,000
Piedmont Council Boy Scouts of America - $16,500
Pilot Club of Rutherford County - $4,000
Safe Kids Rutherford County - $13,388
South Mountain Christian Camp - $13,500
United Way of Rutherford County - $7,000
KidSenses Children's Interactive Museum - $40,000
Human Services:
Grace of God Rescue Mission - $30,780
Rutherford Housing Partnership - $10,000
United Way of Rutherford County - $15,000
Yokefellow Service Center - $35,000
Kistler's Chapel United Methodist Church - $6,000
Nutrition:
BASICS Christian Ministries - $10,000
Liberty Baptist Church Food Pantry - $2,000
NC Cooperative Extension - $4,400
Neighbors Pantry at Gilkey School - $18,000
Rutherford County Schools - $25,000
Rutherford County Schools Education Foundation - $75,000
Rutherford County Senior Center - $50,000
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina - $52,000
Washburn Community Outreach Center - $5,000
Welcome Table Rutherfordton - $16,000
Healthy Lifestyles:
Rutherford Outdoor Coalition - $15,000
Town of Forest City - $35,000
Town of Rutherfordton - $68,000
Town of Spindale - $65,200
Union Mills Learning Center - $10,000
Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy - $50,000
Isothermal Community College - $52,000
Organizations and the grant funding received from the Rutherford Regional Auxiliary are:
Community Health Council of Rutherford County - $3,000
Family Resources of Rutherford County - $2,800
Norris Library Foundation - $1,500
Forrest Hunt Elementary - $2,680
Rutherford Life Services - $13,850
Rutherfordton Enrichment Council - $1,800
Trinity School - $4,000
