Once again your fundraising efforts have made a difference in our community. The Nordin family, whose son Robert John received tube implant surgery in December, reports he is hearing for the first time and is making excellent progress as a result.
The Williamson County Crisis center was thankful for the $500 donation we provided. The money was used to purchase gifts for families resident at the center over the holidays. The ZOI group did a great job redecorating one of the Centers rooms with a $400 donation to the club. Their efforts went a long way to making the environment at the Crisis Center brighter.
We continue to work closely with the Round Rock Independent School District to provide needed equipment and resources to individual students in need. The hearing aide analyzer that we funded in late 2001 has now been received. RRISD personnel are currently being trained in its use and calibration. Viki Johnson plans to demonstrate the device in an upcoming Tuesday morning meeting.
The Sponsorship committee is currently working with two RRISD students to get them the help they need. We have arranged for one young lady to receive a complete hearing assessment at the University of Texas Speech and Hearing Center in January. Once the results of that examination are available, we’ll assist her in getting the most appropriate help. Another young lady with both hearing and vision issues is in need of an improved cochlear implant device. We are currently working with the school district, Texas Commission for the Blind, Texas Rehabilitation Commission and her insurance company to help navigate various funding alternatives.
The Sponsorship Committee and Board also recently approved a $500 grant to the Round Rock Caregivers. This group of 219 volunteers assists 260 homebound senior adults with transportation to medical appointments, referral to medical providers, friendly visitor contacts, loans of medical equipment and minor household repair. The RR Sertoma was instrumental in the formation of this group many years ago through a grant of “seed” money. It was a great investment then and the same is true today.
The huge demand for National Heritage presentations at local schools has prompted us to increase funding from $500 to $1,000. This money will be used to purchase copies of The Bill of Rights and rent period costumes. We also have agreed to provide a $100 donation to Barry Crain, a Sertoman who is working with a hospital in Siberia to improve health care for local residents (see recent SERTOMAN article).
Last but not least, the Sponsorship Committee has researched the Grant process from the Sertoma Foundation and has developed a As always, if you are working with individuals or groups that need our help, we hope that you will contact a member of the Sponsorship Committee. Process to write and submit grants in an attempt to expand our funding base. Grant requests will be submitted in June and December
Kim Haugen,
VP Sponsorship