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The roots of another foundation have helped to form a new one whose mission is to become involved in health and wellness projects that will result in a permanent and significant impact on quality of life in Rutherford County.
The RHI Legacy Foundation is a new fund-raising and grant-making organization focused on improving health and wellness in the community. The organization’s predecessor began in the mid-1990s with a focus on raising money for Rutherford Hospital, and later, Rutherford Regional Health System. The new organization was formed in the middle of 2014 when Rutherford Regional Health System affiliated with Duke LifePoint Healthcare. The newly formed organization now can offer a much broader impact on the future of the community through financial and collaborative support.
To share its new health mission and introduce itself to individuals and non-profits in the county, RHI Legacy Foundation will hold a public gathering Thursday, April 9, beginning at noon at The Performing Arts & Conference Center on the campus of Isothermal Community College.
The Foundation’s first grant-making cycle called “A Healthy Discussion” will open at this time, and any non-profit agency that addresses health, wellness and healthy lifestyles for Rutherford County citizens can attend; reservations for the event may be made at rhilegacyfoundation.org. Immediately following the forum, a hands-on session will be offered to those who wish to begin the online grant application.
Agency representatives who have questions about eligibility or the Foundation’s grant-making focus areas are welcome to call the Foundation’s Executive Director, Jill Miracle, at 828-286-5070 prior to making a reservation.
Funding for the grant-making initiative will come from the assets resulting from the hospital system’s 2014 affiliation. RHI Legacy Foundation has received up to $500,000 in its first grant cycle. And one grant has already been awarded - to Second Harvest Food Bank to provide backpacks for an additional 180 students in Rutherford County Schools. The grant was able to fill the gap between what area churches, business and individuals were already providing and the additional need that had been established by the school system. The combined efforts of local groups and the Foundation assured that 405 students in local schools receive food to support their nutrition needs for each weekend.
RHI Legacy Foundation will also continue fundraising efforts through special events, like the Annual Golf Classic and Women Together. In 2014 the Foundation partnered with Rutherford Outdoor Coalition to raise and award the proceeds from the annual golf event to improve the Thermal Belt Rail Trail.
“This project fit well within the health and wellness mission of the new Foundation because it increases access to healthy outdoor activities for children and adults in the community,” Miracle said.
As a result of sponsorships, contributions and individual player entries, more than $82,000 was contributed to ROC to continue expanding the Rail Trail project.
Recently, the Foundation hosted Women Together, its annual women’s event. This project resulted in more than $16,000 in funds for the Foundation’s Community Cancer Fund.
“From these proceeds, RHI Legacy Foundation will help fund such programs as mammograms for women without health insurance and assistance for local patients who experience financial difficulties as a result of their cancer treatment and recovery,” Miracle explained.
The 1906 Club and Business Honor Roll, both fundraising initiatives the Foundation had prior to this new incarnation, will continue. Annual gifts from individuals and business will provide community wellness funds for asthma and diabetes camps for children and Lifeline services for seniors who live alone. Partnerships with civic and community groups will also continue, and individuals, groups and businesses are encouraged to continue making charitable, tax-deductible gifts, Miracle added.
The RHI Legacy Foundation will also identify health and wellness projects needed in the community and build the framework to meet those needs.
“The Foundation’s board members expect, as a result of the first grant requests, to examine where gaps exist,” Miracle explained. “It will be within the mission of the Foundation to propose and incubate new projects to increase the health and wellness of people within the community. A sizable amount of funding has been set aside to begin building the appropriate infrastructure to make a permanent impact on the health and wellness of the community.”
You can learn more about RHI Legacy Foundation by joining its Facebook page at facebook.com/RHI-Legacy-Foundation. When the grant cycle officially opens, a new website will be available for grant applications and for online charitable support.
