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LOVE'S CIRCLE
RECEIVES $47,844 GRANT FOR VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR FROM BAXTER INTERNATIONAL
FOUNDATION
Funding Helps Homebound
and Elderly Adults Get to Medical Appointments and Maintain Their Independence
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark.,
March 26, 2002 -- The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic
arm of Baxter International Inc., has awarded a three-year, $47,844 grant
to Love's Circle in Mountain Home, Ark. Through a network of volunteers,
the agency provides rides and other services to elderly and homebound
people in the Twin Lakes area of Baxter and Marion Counties. The grant
funding will support a volunteer coordinator who will improve the training
program and recruit enough volunteers to keep up with a growing demand
for services.
In Arkansas's rural Twin Lakes area, 40 percent of the population is over
62, and 20 percent of them live at or below the federal poverty level.
Bus service is limited and erratic and taxi service is costly. Elderly
and disabled homebound adults in the area are often isolated and unable
to get to medical appointments or other services they need.
Love's Circle volunteers provide transportation to and from medical appointments,
pick up prescriptions and provide rides home from the hospital. They also
help with errands, as well as provide respite for caregivers.
"Without our service, many of our clients would simply not get to
the doctor, putting their health and independence at risk," said
Margaret Pflug, director, Love's Circle. "Beyond the rides and chores,
Love's Circle gives what money can't buy, and that is friendship and social
interaction."
In 2001, 65 volunteers provided 1,262 "acts of kindness" for
249 clients. While the organization receives 12 new clients a month, the
volunteer corps has grown by only 12 people per year. The new volunteer
coordinator will aim to increase and expand the volunteer base by 25 people
per year and to organize in-service trainings on topics such as active
listening skills and visual assistance for the blind.
Among the people Love's Circle has helped are Phyllis and Wendell Neukum
from Gassville, Ark. At age 70, Phyllis is the primary caregiver for her
86-year-old husband, Wendell. Since she does not drive, she has relied
on Love's Circle to take Wendell to doctor's appointments for his health
problems, which include prostate cancer, emphysema and congestive heart
failure. The volunteers helped her through a particularly stressful time
last winter when Wendell had a bad infection and needed almost daily assistance
with medication and eating. While Phyllis administered daily care, Love's
Circle volunteers assisted with the shopping and running errands.
"It was a miracle Wendell got through that. I can't praise Love's
Circle enough. They kept us both going," Phyllis said.
Kathleen Hopwood, 69, from Yellville, Ark., is another typical Love's
Circle client. She doesn't drive, lives on a fixed income, and is the
full-time caregiver for her two, 28-year old children with Down's syndrome.
Love's Circle helped Hopwood and her children get to the doctor about
a dozen times last year.
"Without them, I don't have any idea how I would get to the doctor.
I guess I would just do without," Hopwood said.
"Love's Circle is a classic example of neighbors helping neighbors
in a time of need," said Patricia Morgan, executive director, The
Baxter International Foundation. "They deliver essential services
in a very cost-effective way, while helping people stay healthy and live
independently for as long as possible." For information about volunteering
at Love's Circle, call 870-425-6475.
As the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc., The Baxter International
Foundation helps to increase access to health care in the United States
and other countries. In 2001, foundation grants totaling $4.8 million
improved access to care for children, the uninsured and the elderly, helped
prevent child abuse and neglect, promoted health education, expanded education
opportunities for health-care providers, and helped victims of global
disasters.
Baxter International Inc. is a global medical products and services company
that, through its subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people
with life-threatening conditions. Baxter employs more than 1600 people
in Arkansas at its Mountain Home facility.
FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
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- Media Contacts:
- Tanya Tyska, Baxter, 847-948-3256
Margaret Pflug, Love's Circle, 870-425-6475
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