Deaconess Associations Foundation Donates $50,000 to Hurricane Relief Efforts

Donation to supplement Matthew 25: Ministries efforts, acute healthcare at Virgin Islands hospital

Concern for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma has prompted Deaconess Associations Foundation (DAF) of Cincinnati to donate $50,000 for recovery efforts in Texas and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

When Texas residents sustained devastating damage from Hurricane Harvey, the Deaconess Foundation donated $25,000 to Matthew 25: Ministries, a greater Cincinnati organization recognized for providing disaster relief.

An equal sum was donated to Schneider Medical Center, the only hospital serving the island for St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, after Hurricane Irma swept through the territory.

"Deaconess’ business and philanthropic initiatives are infused with Christian faith-based values," said Tony Woods, chairman of the board for Deaconess Associations. "The crises created by these recent hurricanes inspired Deaconess to put those values into action." 

"Our hearts were touched when we did some research and discovered that most people on St. Thomas had to be evacuated to another island," said Diane Decker of Springfield Township, DAF director of development. "The medical center there was severely damaged and is non-operational until it can be restored. Our foundation’s primary focus is to ensure at-risk members of the population have access to basic healthcare. The communities which experienced the wrath of these recent hurricanes certainly fall within that category." 

The Deaconess Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Deaconess Associations, Inc., a diversified healthcare organization that provides residency and patient care within its senior service communities and specialized home care services to those requiring assistance in their personal homes. 

The Deaconess Foundation supports a medley of community organizations that cater to vulnerable populations in homeless shelters, substance abuse centers, children’s homes, school settings, youth programs, and beyond.  Since 2012, DAF has invested $6 million in grants to local community organizations which deliver measureable healthcare improvements to underserved adults and children.

That investment includes the establishment of 11 Deaconess Health Check medical offices across greater Cincinnati which provide needed medical and dental care for underserved children. DAF partners with other non-profit organizations to provide grants that support critical community health needs by investing in neighborhood-based care and services that enhance access, encourage wellness, prevention, and education.

For more information about DAF, visit its website at www.deaconess-healthcare.com or call Decker at (513) 559-2652.