2019 Jackson EMC Foundation Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Spreading Assistance, Far and Wide, Throughout Northeast Georgia A LETTER FROM JOEL HARBIN & CHIP JAKINS

Since 2005, the Jackson EMC Foundation has distributed hundreds of grants that have touched tens of thousands of individuals and families throughout the Northeast Georgia region.

From Dahlonega to Athens and from Homer to Snellville, communities far and wide throughout Jackson EMC’s service area have been positively impacted by Foundation grants.

The Jackson EMC Foundation manages and distributes

hungry families backpacks filled with food to providing

funds raised through Operation Round Up®, Jackson

leadership training for high school students, from providing

EMC’s philanthropic program. Participating members

adapted sports activities to people with disabilities to giving

round up their monthly power bill to the next dollar with

cancer patients gas cards so they can afford to travel long

the extra change going to support local non-profits and

distances for treatment.

individuals in need.

presented with grants in the past year. The work they do to

The Foundation’s volunteer board of directors meets

This year’s annual report features eight organizations

monthly to study grant requests and then awards organi-

better our communities reflects the amazing work of all

zations that positively impact people. In many cases, the

organizations funded by the Foundation. None of this

non-profit organizations receiving grants are those that

would be possible without those of you Jackson EMC

extend services beyond their hometowns, even beyond

members who round up your power bill to help your

their county boundaries, to impact people living in most

neighbors.

or all of the 10 counties that receive electricity from

Jackson EMC.

Foundation will continue to positively impact communities—

from one end of Northeast Georgia to the other.

Even when an organization only serves those in the

Together, Jackson EMC, our members, and the Jackson EMC

county in which it’s located, the impact can be monumental considering the number of individuals and families served.

Sincerely,

Sometimes the Foundation awards grants to agencies headquartered outside of the counties Jackson EMC serves when those organizations provide important services to communities within those counties.

With nearly 233,400 meters on Jackson EMC lines,

the extra change collected through Operation Round

Joel Harbin Chair, Jackson EMC Foundation

Up® goes a long way to help improve lives. In the past 14 years, the Jackson EMC Foundation has awarded a total of $14,443,206 in grants to improve and impact its communities, including $1,128,073 in grants in the past year.

Organizations that receive Foundation grants use the

funds to provide services that benefit communities from

Chip Jakins President/CEO, Jackson EMC

one end of the Jackson EMC map to the other—from giving

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Promoting Health & Wellbeing Through Adaptive Sports

Athens Inclusive Recreation and Sports (AIRS) / airs-ga.org MISSION:

To provide a better quality of life through inclusive recreation and sports programming.

BASED IN:

Athens SERVES:

Banks, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Madison, Oglethorpe counties

GRANT $7,500

for beep baseball and wheelchair basketball equipment

He may be the oldest player in the National Beep Baseball Association, but AIRS Director Roger Keeney has little problem keeping up with the youngsters.

K

im Keeney has cerebral palsy and uses an electric wheelchair. Her husband, Roger, is blind. The couple, however, does not let their disabilities define them—far from it. Instead, they operate Athens Inclusive Recreation and Sports (AIRS), a non-profit organization that gets folks like them moving and active and, as a byproduct, healthier and happier. people with long-term disabilities because

players are visually impaired while

Today, the agency annually serves about

they don’t have as many opportunities for

sighted players serve as pitcher, catcher

300 people with developmental, physical

fitness exercise. We offer that opportunity,

and field assistants. Batters listen for the

or intellectual disabilities by providing

which gives them independence, improved

ball to “beep” and swing as it crosses the

them an outlet for sports and recreation

quality of life, and the life-affirming

plate.

through adapted sports activities.

experience of playing their best as part

of a team.”

competed at the National Beep Baseball

The Keeneys started AIRS in 2012.

“To be healthy, you can’t sit at home and

The adapted activities are seasonal

The AIRS Timberwolves have

Association’s World Series each season

play video games; you have to stay active,”

says Kim, AIRS program coordinator.

with beep baseball played in spring/summer

since AIRS was established, including

and wheelchair basketball and power

last summer’s series in Tulsa, Okla., says

population deals with obesity,” says Roger,

soccer offered in fall/winter.

Roger who, at 72, is the oldest player in

AIRS director. “But it’s three in four for

the national league.

“In Georgia, one in four in the general

In beep baseball, batters and field

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

The Timberwolves practice beep baseball at Trail Creek Park in Athens.

Justin and Cody, both 23, play on the Timberwolves team,

John wanted to play baseball from the age of 9. “The coach

which provides them not only a sports outlet but camaraderie

said ‘Put the bat down; we already know we don’t want you on

with people like them. Both young men played ball when they

our team,’” recalls John, who has played beep baseball with the

were young, and both went blind at age 20. Last summer, Justin

Timberwolves since 2014. “It brings me a sense of accomplishment

won the longest ball competition at World Series with a 163-foot

and wellbeing.”

hit; the year before, he hit the winning run at the national event.

“

With a Jackson EMC Foundation grant, AIRS purchased new

adaptive equipment and uniforms, which enabled them to add players to their teams.

Including non-disabled players helps change attitudes toward people with disabilities.

— ROGER KEENEY

”

The wheelchair basketball team, Rolling Thunder, includes

some players who are not confined to wheelchairs. Sometimes they play against teams whose players have no disabilities.

“They use wheelchairs and play by our rules,” says Roger.

After the UGA football team competed with AIRS in wheelchair basketball, the score was Rolling Thunder, 40; UGA, 10.

“When the football players get up out of that chair, their

attitudes about people with disabilities are changed forever,” says Roger. “Including non-disabled players helps change attitudes toward people with disabilities. That’s our focus: to change attitudes.

If they change their views on disabilities, our isolation vanishes.”

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Finding Healing Homes for Hurting Children Bethany Christian Services of Georgia / bethany.org/atlanta MISSION:

To demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ by protecting children, empowering youth, and strengthening families through quality social services.

BASED IN:

Atlanta, with regional office in Bogart SERVES:

Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Oglethorpe counties

GRANT $5,000

for foster care training and recruitment

Alecia King holds her newly-adopted daughter, Jasmine, during a home visit from Bethany Christian Services Regional Manager Bindi Avrett.

F

oster parent Alecia King credits Bethany Christian Services with expanding her family in Hoschton.

With assistance from the foster care and adoption service, King has fostered several children and adopted two.

“Bethany has always been there to

those with special needs and, in February,

pregnancy counseling and post adoption

help,” says King. “Bethany does events

she adopted 7-year-old Jasmine, a special

support to families who have adopted

for foster families, and even after you’ve

needs student who rode her bus.

children. The organization’s grant from

become a foster, they provide you with

the Jackson EMC Foundation is being

training.”

to foster and adopt,” says King.

used to recruit and train new foster and

foster-to-adopt families in Northeast

As a special needs bus driver for

“My love for these kids is my inspiration While her love for kids provided the

Jackson County Schools for 18 years,

inspiration, Bethany provided the ways

Georgia.

King became aware of the area’s need for

and means.

loving, stable families to serve children in

approved foster families, so that all chil-

difficult situations. Over the years, she has

regional office in Bogart, Bethany’s

dren coming into foster care in this area

fostered numerous children, including

services include adoption, foster care,

will be placed and cared for within their

Headquartered in Atlanta with a

“Our goal is to develop 40 additional

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Jasmine enjoys a book while her mom, Alecia, visits with Bindi.

“

home community,” says Director of Donor Engagement Andi Swan, noting that the additional foster families will make it possible to

We are here to equip and support families with foster training and collaboration.

host 200 to 225 more foster children at any given time.

“Our most critical need is for more trained foster families

across the state,” says Swan. “The number of children coming into the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) is only increasing, so the need for more families grows as well.”

Bindi Avrett is regional manager at Bethany’s office in Bogart,

— BINDI AVRETT

which works with DFACS to serve about 80 foster children in the

”

Athens area.

says Avrett. Foster families need these traits: a sense of humor,

flexibility and the capacity to make a long-term commitment to

“We are here to equip and support families with foster

training and collaboration,” says Avrett, describing how all foster

children, she adds.

families take part in at least 24 hours of classroom training.

Jackson EMC Foundation which, in the long run, makes it easier

Bethany Christian Services started 75 years ago in Grand

Rapids, Mich., and is now a global child placing agency. They

Alecia, Swan and Avrett appreciate assistance from the

for families to foster.

“All the grant money goes toward costs incurred with recruitment

have 120 U.S. locations and Georgia’s is the second largest.

and training, so we don’t have to charge a fee to parents who

Since opening in 2015, the Bogart office has opened 98 homes

to foster care.

“Our biggest need is fosters to take teens, large sibling

groups, and mentally and/or physically challenged children,”

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are already opening their homes to children,” says Swan. “This enables us to say, ‘Hey, we just need your availability and your love.’”

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Gaining Confidence and Trust on Horseback Eagle Ranch / eagleranch.org MISSION:

Eagle Ranch helps make life better for children and their families, positively impacting communities for the glory of God. BASED IN:

Flowery Branch SERVES:

Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Oglethorpe counties

GRANT $15,000

for 32 children to participate in the Equine Therapy Program

Eagle Ranch Founder Eddie Staub visits residents Aden, Sarah, and Bre’Iri with Cooper the horse.

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or the past 18 years, the Equine Therapy Program at Eagle Ranch has helped girls and boys develop self-control and self-confidence, traits that will serve them well as adults. school for residents in grades 6-9. The

programs for children in crisis, Eagle

Equine Therapy Program began in 2001,

manager, comprehensive equine therapy

Ranch serves families throughout North-

the same year girls first came to live at

sessions involve the horse, its young rider,

east Georgia and Metro-Atlanta. The 315-

Eagle Ranch.

and a licensed professional counselor.

acre campus in Flowery Branch is home

to 66 boys and girls ages 8-14. Typically,

therapy helps children with anxiety and

setting provides significant physical and

42 boys reside in six houses while 24 girls

other issues,” says Kelly Brewer, director

emotional benefits for our children,” says

live in four homes. A houseparent couple

of development and outreach. “We teach

Brewer. “Overcoming fears and developing

leads each home where nurture and structure

the girls and boys how to ride and work

self-control are common needs of the

are provided as well as individual, group

with the horses. There is a lot of trust and

children we serve.”

and family counseling.

communication involved as they build

a relationship with a horse, and that is

the Whitcomb Family Equine Center

transferable to relationships with people.”

opened with a horse barn, classroom, tack

One of Georgia’s largest residential

Eddie Staub founded Eagle Ranch

in 1985 and eventually added an onsite

“It’s been demonstrated that equine

Led by Eagle Ranch’s equine program

“Working with horses in a therapeutic

In 2014, the program expanded when

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Aden leads Cooper on an afternoon walk at Eagle Ranch.

Bre’Iri shares a quiet moment with Cooper.

“

experience at the ranch helps children return home to better

Working with horses in a therapeutic setting provides significant physical and emotional benefits for our children.

”

— KELLY BREWER

family relationships, improved academic success, and the ability to handle life’s challenges and thrive in various settings. The end goal, says Staub, is to restore families and keep them connected.

“We want to be good stewards of the time the children are

with us,” says Staub. “We are here to build resilience in children’s lives—emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and physically— and equine therapy is a big part of that. When you can handle a thousand-pound horse, it builds responsibility and confidence and helps kids overcome fear. When kids can do this, it emboldens them and they figure, ‘If I can overcome that, I can overcome anything.’”

Staub recognizes Jackson EMC and the Jackson EMC

Foundation as loyal supporters of Eagle Ranch since its inception.

“Jackson EMC used power poles to build our first swing set and

storage, wash room and a lighted, covered riding arena. The boys

the first backstop when we opened in 1985, and Jackson EMC

and girls contribute to care of the horses by brushing them and

recently sponsored our Ranch Run 5K,” he says. “Jackson EMC

helping clean stalls.

and its Foundation have been very engaged, and we appreciate

their support.”

Various issues bring children to Eagle Ranch, anything

from changes in family structure to academic problems. Their

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Providing Mobility to Enhance Independence Friends of Disabled Adults and Children / fodac.org MISSION:

To enhance health and quality of life for people of all ages who have injuries, illnesses or physical disabilities by providing mobility aids that promote independence.

BASED IN:

Stone Mountain SERVES:

Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Oglethorpe counties

GRANT $15,000

to provide home medical equipment to 800 residents

Grant, 18, of Buford, lost his mobility after a dirt bike wreck in 2017.

A sports wheelchair provided by FODAC allows him to hunt, fish and play basketball.

I

n 1986, Ed and Annie Butchart started Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) in their home garage as a community service project. After Ed repaired a wheelchair for a church friend, he enlisted his Sunday school class to help repair more wheelchairs. Eventually, he quit his regular job to operate FODAC as a fulltime endeavor. to help people with injuries and disabili-

repaired and reissued more than 40,000

Over the past 33 years, FODAC has

ties regain their mobility, independence

can make it possible for people to continue

“Access to home medical equipment

wheelchairs plus tens of thousands of

and quality of life. The agency has been

living at home,” says FODAC President/CEO

other medical equipment items, including

awarded the highest rating by Charity

Chris Brand. “It helps them become more

walkers, power lifts, scooters, hospital

Navigator, a widely-respected charity

self-sufficient, attend school, and retain

beds and bathroom aids—all in an effort

monitoring organization.

employment. Having appropriate home jacksonemc.com

2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

medical equipment (HME) fosters independence and mobility and prevents complications of inactivity such as isolation and depression.”

Each year, FODAC’s Home Medical Equipment

Program provides more than $10 million worth of home medical equipment items to people in need at little or no cost to recipients. Items are donated by agencies and families who no longer need them; FODAC refurbishes the medical equipment to factory standards and reissues it by matching equipment to clients, delivering to hospitals or human services partners, and shipping out to support national disaster relief efforts.

“

Access to home medical equipment can make it possible for people to continue living at home.

”

— CHRIS BRAND

“Clients are referred to us through hospitals,

physical therapists, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities,” says Development Director Laurie Kimbrell, noting that last year’s grant from the Jackson EMC Foundation enabled FODAC to provide 800 mobility items to 607 clients within Jackson EMC’s 10-county service area.

“In the last four years, the number of clients

we’ve seen has increased by 75 percent,” says Brand.

“We have to increase our collection of equipment in order to keep up with the demand. The grant is incredible because it’s critical for our program to continue outreach in Jackson EMC communities.”

In all, FODAC issues about 150 pieces of home

Grant enjoys the mobility a sports wheelchair makes possible with its narrow frame and rugged wheels.

medical equipment each week at its facility in Stone Mountain and through 30 partner agencies around the state. Clients pay a one-time fee of $25.

“For families who have a loved one with a dis-

power or manual chair. But for quality of life, it’s best to have both. While a

ability, the costs are never-ending,” says Kimbrell.

power chair may be good at home, a manual wheelchair is more efficient for

“With many healthcare plans, only one wheelchair

loading in a car to participate in shopping or travel.”

is provided, so the family has to decide between a

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Thankfully, FODAC makes it possible for families to have both.

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Building Tomorrow’s Leaders

by Reaching Today’s Students

Gwinnett Student Leadership Team / gsltinc.org MISSION:

To identify and develop young leaders who have demonstrated leadership skills, an emerging civic sense, and a willingness to serve their schools and community.

BASED IN:

Duluth SERVES:

Gwinnett County

GRANT $15,000

for books, supplies and materials used in student leadership program

Each summer, the annual GSLT Summit provides a lively day of learning for high school students throughout Gwinnett County.

S

ince 1995, the Gwinnett Student Leadership Team (GSLT) program has provided important leadership training to hundreds of high school students. prepared for leadership roles in college

Dr. Mike Rutherford, a national authority on

skills and strategies and introduces students

and the business world,” says Ward.

adult leadership; Dr. Tim Elmore, founder

to the value of community service,” says

and president of Growing Leaders, Inc.;

GSLT Executive Director Nancy Ward.

works with nine students from each of

and Debra Lassiter of The Perfectly

Gwinnett County’s 23 public high schools.

Polished School of Etiquette in Athens.

with tools they need to be successful,

The selection process includes a written

including strategic thinking skills, analyt-

application, essay on leadership, and

leading other student leaders, everything

ical capability, capacity to influence and

interview.

you do is under a microscope,” says Ward.

persuade highly diverse groups, and the

“Etiquette training is included because it’s

ability to learn from experience and lead

that the program “is highly regarded” by

part of what makes a polished leader.”

themselves as well as others.

the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and

the Gwinnett business community.

respective high schools to offer leadership

“The program provides practical leadership

To accomplish this, GSLT equips students

“By providing a rigorous leadership

Every year, the leadership program

“It’s very competitive,” says Ward, noting

At the chamber, student leaders

curriculum, students will be able to lead

their lives more effectively and be better

attend monthly workshops led by

“As we tell our kids, when you’re

The GSLT students return to their

workshops to their fellow students and develop action plans to address critical

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

More than 1,400 students attended the GSLT Summit in May when 80 adult leaders provided valuable lessons in leadership.

“Our world is a better place when students have leadership

needs in their schools, according to Ward. As an example, they

may choose to tackle low graduation rates or peer pressure.

training early and are able to practice it with adults while in high

School leadership teams typically include 100 to 300 students.

school,” says Ward. “With GSLT, our future leaders start leadership

training as sophomores, so by the time they graduate from high

“With the practical leadership skills and training they receive,

GSLT students use a learn-teach-serve approach to help develop

school, they have a few tools in their kit.”

student leaders in each Gwinnett high school,” says Ward.

was “the opportunity to interface with adults, watch them make

Each year, a Student Leadership Summit brings in hundreds

Student leaders report that what helped them most in GSLT

of students for a full day of leadership training. The first summit

difficult decisions, and see how they communicated those decisions,”

was held in 2004 with 350 students; the 2019 summit attracted

according to Ward.

1,400 students and 80 adult leaders.

“

The program provides practical leadership skills and strategies and introduces students to the value of community service.

— NANCY WARD

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Providing Nutrition to Families Through Bags of Love iServe Ministries / iserveministries.org MISSION:

To end generational poverty in Northeast Georgia.

BASED IN:

Hoschton SERVES:

Jackson and Madison counties

GRANT $10,000

for Bags of Love program to provide food to families

Volunteers gather weekly to pack Bags of Love with food for Jackson County school students.

N

ot long after moving to Jefferson, Jeff Grant was shocked to learn that about 60% of students in Jackson County schools qualify for free or reduced lunch. After researching food insecurity in the area, he and his wife, Sherry, founded iServe Ministries in 2012.

“The term ‘food insecure’ means that

10 in Jackson County and two in Madison

donated by The Vine Church in Hoschton.

an individual has a lack of food at times

County. Last year, the organization distributed

Each bag contains enough food to provide

and sometimes has to decide whether

almost 6,500 Bags of Love.

two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners

to buy food or pay bills,” says Jeff. “The

and eight snacks to a family of four.

Bible talks about helping the widows,

on the weekends and not worried about

Volunteer drivers deliver bags to schools,

the orphans and the poor. That was our

where their next meal comes from,” says

where counselors give them to students

motivation to begin the program.”

Jeff. “They need proper nutrition to do well

on Friday in order to provide weekend

in school and in life, plus the backpack

meals.

gives them the knowledge that someone

seven backpacks of food delivered to one

cares about them.”

the empty pack back in order to get food

school in Jackson County. Today, iServe

the next week,” says Jeff. “This teaches

delivers 250 backpacks to 12 schools—

Bags of Love storage warehouse, graciously

The non-profit organization’s Bags of

Love program began seven years ago with

“It’s good to know that kids are eating

Volunteers pack bags weekly at the

“Our only request is the student brings

them responsibility.”

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Each Bag of Love includes enough food for six meals and eight snacks.

“

Volunteers with iServe Ministries put their heart for service into action.

closes—and we never know what goes on around us. These bags give hope and excitement. Whoever thought a bag of food would

iServe Ministries’ mission is to see people go from needing assistance to being of assistance to others in the community.

”

— JEFF GRANT

give hope and excitement?”

poverty “and to see people go from needing assistance to being of assistance to others in the community.”

Last summer, iServe Ministries began providing bags with

Along with Bags of Love, the ministry offers Feeding Jackson

County, a mobile food pantry program that operates year-round with assistance from Northeast Georgia Food Bank.

“As their number one distributor, we do three mobile food

pantries each month,” says Jeff, noting that iServe will give away one million pounds of food in 2019.

Jeff says his organization’s BEHAG, or Big Hairy Audacious Goal,

is to “have a storefront where we can give financial counseling, spiritual counseling, and job training.”

Jeff says iServe Ministries’ mission is to end generational

In the meantime, he is grateful for support from the Jackson EMC

Foundation.

food for children in Jackson County’s HeadStart program, so now

the organization provides Bags of Love all year-round. Jeff says he

families,” he says. “As food prices continue to go up and the ability

routinely receives notes in backpacks giving thanks for the food.

to serve people becomes more difficult, that money helps us

provide more Bags of Love. It’s a lifesaver for us.”

“I call America a garage door society,” says Jeff. “We click the

clicker, the door opens, we drive in, click the clicker, and the door

jacksonemc.com

“The grant means the world to us and allows us to serve more

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Easing Cancer Care, One Gas Card at a Time The Cancer Foundation / cfnega.org MISSION:

To help alleviate the financial burden of cancer for eligible patients.

BASED IN:

Athens SERVES:

Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Jackson, Madison, Oglethorpe counties

GRANT $7,500

grant for transportation costs for cancer patients

The Cancer Foundation’s Katrina Moody, left, and Gabrielle Dukes, right, visit cancer patient, Dottie, who says she “couldn’t ask for better help” than what she received from TCF.

W

hile insurance or Medicare may pay for cancer treatments, getting to and from medical appointments can be a costly expense—and sometimes even a deterrent to receiving treatment, according to Financial Assistance Program Administrator Katrina Moody of The Cancer Foundation (TCF) of Northeast Georgia.

Financial Assistance Program to provide

can be financially toxic,” says Moody.

funds to cancer patients and their families

patients through public transportation

“Cancer can be for a lifetime, and because

to help ease their financial crisis and the

passes or gas cards, which are provided in

of depleted financial resources, people are

debilitating stress that stems from a cancer

increments of $250, with patients receiving

forced to choose whether to seek and maintain

diagnosis.

up to $500 per year.

treatment or not have treatment at all.”

than $1.8 million in financial assistance to

helps patients have access to lifesaving

established in 2005 by physicians who

more than 3,100 cancer patients. A recent

treatment,” says TCF Executive Director

witnessed cancer uproot patients’ daily

grant from the Jackson EMC Foundation

Laura Lowery. “This was our first time

routines and wreak havoc on their lives,

targets transportation costs which, says

receiving funds from the Jackson EMC

according to Development Coordinator

Dukes, enables cancer patients to remain

Foundation, and we are very grateful.

Gabrielle Dukes. In 2009, TCF started its

in treatment.

Jackson EMC is such a generous corporation

“For many families, a cancer diagnosis

The Cancer Foundation was

Since 2009, TCF has provided more

Transportation funding is given to

“Our Financial Assistance Program

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

“My daughter-in-law took me to radiation treatment every weekday for six weeks,” cancer patient Dottie tells TCF’s Katrina Moody.

“I appreciate The Cancer Foundation’s help very much. I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

“

The best part of my job is when I call the patient and say, ‘I got your gas card and I’m sending it out today.’

— KATRINA MOODY

”

with members who allow their bills to be rounded up. That generosity

income limit. Clients are referred to TCF by social workers,

just shines through.”

physicians, and nurses.

The Cancer Foundation’s service area overlaps with Jackson

“Transportation assistance is our number one request because

EMC’s service territory, making the collaboration a good fit. The

it’s the number one barrier to treatment,” says Moody. “The best

transportation dollars can be used to send area patients wherever

part of my job is when I call the patient and say, ‘I got your gas

they need to go to receive treatment, whether that’s in Georgia or

card and I’m sending it out today,’ and they say, ‘Oh, I had no idea

out of state.

how I was going to get to my treatment next week. Thank you so

“After diagnosis, many patients can’t work or pay bills,” says

much.’”

Moody. “A lot of radiation patients drive for treatments Monday

through Friday. We have some clients who travel one and a half

to Dukes.

hours each way. Without transportation, their ability to be cured

from cancer diminishes.”

self-esteem,” she says.

To be eligible to receive transportation assistance, patients

must be 18 or older, have a cancer diagnosis, and be within a certain

jacksonemc.com

Not only do the gas cards provide transportation, according “They also provide cancer patients with independence and

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Changing Lives by Providing Sight Winder Noon Lions Club / P.O. Box 645, Winder, GA 30680 MISSION:

To provide sight conservation and treatment, mostly by providing eyeglasses to the sight-impaired.

BASED IN:

Winder SERVES:

Barrow County

GRANT $5,000

to provide eyeglasses to 50 vision-impaired adults and children Toni and her daughter, Lily, look on as her son, Bradyn, is fitted for glasses with help from Winder Noon Lions Club President Joann Smith, left, and Secretary David Martin.

F

or generations, Lions Clubs throughout the world have made it their mission to help people preserve their sight.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide live with some form of vision impairment, whether it’s a refractive error, cataracts or another condition. Almost 80 percent of all vision impairment is avoidable though, according to Lions International, which maintains that often a pair of glasses is all that’s needed for a person to see clearly.

In Barrow County, the Winder Noon

lain of the Winder club, which is working to

go Elementary School that we realized what

Lions Club takes this mission to heart by

expand its vision program.

an unmet need there is.”

working to provide eyeglasses to those who

are sight-impaired.

glasses to three or four people who contact-

teacher told the Lions about various obsta-

ed us,” says Hill, noting that the club now

cles to teaching visually impaired students.

know how bad their sight is and what a

takes a more proactive role to reach those

“One of the alarming things we discovered

difference glasses can make in school, work

with vision needs. “It wasn’t until we heard

was the lack of eyeglasses and eye exams

and their daily lives,” says Gwen Hill, chap-

from a special education teacher from Yar-

for some local students,” says Hill.

“Often, children and adults don’t even

“Over the years, we annually provided

The Barrow County School System

jacksonemc.com

2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Bradyn looks forward to renewed vision made possible with help from the Winder Noon Lions Club, which works with America’s Best in Bethlehem to provide eye exams and glasses to children and adults.

The Lions Club formed a partnership with the school system,

“There were three children in the family who were sharing one

which identifies students in need of eyeglasses; in turn, the Lions

pair of glasses, and the prescription wasn’t right for any of them,”

help provide glasses for students who can’t afford them. Lions Club

says Smith. “We were able to get them eye exams and glasses

President Joann Smith describes the gravity of the situation by

appropriate for each one of them.”

sharing the story of one Barrow County family.

“Because of the severity of their vision loss, our cost was around

$900 to get each child their own glasses,” adds Hill. “While this bill was

“

a shock, we knew we were giving these children an opportunity to expand their world and improve their educational opportunities forever.”

One of the alarming things we discovered was the lack of eyeglasses and eye exams for some local students.

— GWEN HILL

”

Educational experts say 80% of learning is visual, so if children

can’t see well, they can’t learn well, according to Hill.

“Most young children don’t get their vison screened until they

have problems learning or paying attention in school, but by then, it may be too late,” she adds.

Most eye exams and glasses provided through the Winder Noon

Lions Club cost around $100 or more for bifocals and extra thick lenses. The Jackson EMC Foundation grant helps the Club meet its mission to provide more children and adults with much-needed glasses.

“Our club is very appreciative of the Jackson EMC Foundation,”

says Smith.

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Jackson EMC Foundation, Inc. STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31

2019

2018

Change in Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions Revenue and Support Contributions $ 1,201,752 $ 1,134,162 Interest 722 157 Contributed Services 60,088 57,083

1,262,562 1,191,402 Program Service Expenses Community Assistance Family Assistance

1,054,306 1,126,121 73,767 48,296

Supporting Service Expenses Administrative and General

60,124 57,083

1,188,197 1,231,500 Change in Net Assets Without Donor Restictions

74,365

(40,098)

Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions, Beginning

188,921

229,019

Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions, Ending

$ 263,286

$ 188,921

jacksonemc.com

2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

21

Jackson EMC Foundation, Inc. Schedule of Community Assistance for the Year Ended May 31, 2019

Adventure Bags $ 10,000 American Legion - Post 20 3,050 American Red Cross - Northeast Georgia Chapter 15,000 Asian American Resource Foundation 7,500 Athens Inclusive Recreation and Sports 7,500 Atlanta Community Food Bank 12,000 Atlanta Mission 10,000 Banks County Senior Center 10,000 Banks-Jackson Food Bank 10,000 Barrow Ministry Village 12,000 Bethany Christian Services of Georgia 5,000 Books for Keeps 7,500 Boys & Girls Clubs of Jackson County 15,000 Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier 14,800 Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta 15,000 Boys & Girls Clubs of Winder 15,000 Camp Koinonia 15,000 Camp Twin Lakes 15,000 Center Point 15,000 Child Impact at East Jackson Elementary School 1,800 Children’s Center for Hope and Healing 15,000 Choices Pregnancy Care Center 15,000 CHRIS 180 7,500 Community Helping Place 7,500 Cozy Quilters of St. Matthew Women’s Club 1,500 Duluth First United Methodist Church 2,500 Eagle Ranch 15,000 Extra Special People 10,000 Eyes of Love Lighthouse Mission 10,000 Families of Children Under Stress 6,000 Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, Inc. 15,000 Foster Siblings Reunited 2,500 Franklin Life Pregnancy Resource Center 4,725 Friends of Disabled Adults and Children 15,000 Gainesville Housing Corporation 10,000 Gateway House 15,000 Georgia Mountain Food Bank 15,000 Georgia Mountains YMCA 10,000

Balance - Carried Forward $ 393,375

jacksonemc.com

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Jackson EMC Foundation, Inc. Schedule of Community Assistance for the Year Ended May 31, 2019

Balance - Carried Forward

$

393,375

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta 6,000 Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia 15,000 Good News Clinics 15,000 Greater Atlanta Pathways 5,000 Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services 15,000 Gwinnett County Habitat for Humanity 15,000 Gwinnett County Public Library 20,000 Gwinnett Student Leadership Team 15,000 Hall County Habitat for Humanity 15,000 Hall-Dawson CASA 9,000 Hebron Community Health 15,000 Hi-Hope Service Center 15,000 Hope for the Journey at North Metro First Baptist Church of Gwinnett 9,532 9,200 Hope Pregnancy Resource Center Hudgens Center for Art and Learning 10,000 Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens 15,000 iServe Ministries 10,000 Jackson County 4-H Club 6,000 Jackson County Habitat for Humanity 20,000 Jewish Family & Career Services 5,000 Junior Achievement of Georgia 9,000 L.A.M.P. Ministries 15,000 Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry 15,000 Lekotek of Georgia 7,500 Lumpkin County Family Connection 4,000 Muscular Dystrophy Association 5,000 New Directions Georgia 14,230 New Path 1010 10,000 Next Stop Foundation 15,000 Norcross Cooperative Ministries 15,000 North Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry 20,000 Northeast Georgia CASA 1,000 Nothing But the Truth 15,000 Oglethorpe County 4-H Club 3,800 Our Neighbor 10,000 Path Project 6,550

Balance - Carried Forward $ 804,187

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2019 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

23

Jackson EMC Foundation, Inc. Schedule of Community Assistance for the Year Ended May 31, 2019

Balance - Carried Forward

$

804,187

Penfield Christian Homes 2,000 Prevent Child Abuse of Athens 7,500 Quinlan Arts 7,000 Rainbow Village 15,000 Reins of Life 2,319 Revved Up Kids 4,800 Rotary Club of Madison County 5,000 Salvation Army of Athens 10,000 Salvation Army of Gainesville 10,000 Salvation Army of Gwinnett 15,000 Salvation Army of Toccoa 5,000 SER Familia 15,000 Sexual Assault Center and Children’s Advocacy Center 10,000 SISU 15,000 Spectrum Autism Support Group 15,000 Spirit of Joy Food Pantry 2,500 St. Vincent De Paul Society - Flowery Branch 12,000 St. Vincent De Paul Society - Gainesville 12,000 Step by Step Recovery 15,000 The Cancer Foundation 7,500 Tiny Stitches 10,000 University of North Georgia Foundation 15,000 Winder Noon Lions Club 5,000 YMCA of Athens 10,000 YMCA of Georgia’s Piedmont 10,000 Young Women’s Christian Organization of Athens 12,500

Balance - Carried Forward $ 1,054,306

jacksonemc.com

2019 Annual Report P.O. Box 38 | Jefferson, GA 30549 jacksonemc.com/foundation