News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Jessamyn Farrell
Shining Hope Farms
Assistant Director
704-951-7040
jfarrell@shininghopefarms.org
SHINING HOPE FARMS ABLE TO PURCHASE AED THANKS TO GRANT FROM HEALTHY CHARLOTTE ALLIANCE
Charlotte, NC (May 20, 2019) – Shining Hope Farms is excited to announce that they have received a $1,700 grant from the Healthy Charlotte Alliance to purchase an AED or automated external defibrillator for their Charlotte farm.
At Wednesday’s annual meeting Healthy Charlotte Alliance (HCA) awarded $69,000 in grants to 11 area health and community organizations, whose projects improve the health and quality of life of the people in our community, Shining Hope Farms included.
Shining Hope Farms’ Charlotte location currently serves around 50 patients a week in their pediatric Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy Programs, and about the same amount in their Therapeutic Riding Program, which consists of recreational, goal-oriented horseback riding lessons. Thirty-two percent of the families served at the Charlotte farm are below 200% of the poverty line, a population that benefits from Shining Hope Farms efforts to ensure that the majority of patients pay nothing out of pocket for therapy, and that their recreational services are affordable as well.
The grant makes it possible for Shining Hope Farms to obtain a life-saving device and have it on hand for their delicate population. Then, in case of emergency, they will have the option of administering the AED to any sudden cardiac arrest victim before help can arrive, in hopes of saving their life.
“Healthy Charlotte Alliance is pleased to provide funding for the purchase of an AED for Shining Hope Farms, as it will serve as an important life-saving device to have on hand for staff and individuals participating in therapeutic programs. We are pleased to partner with Shining Hope Farms and applaud their great work in the community,” said Jennie Carruth, VP of Grants and Healthy Charlotte Alliance Board member.
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Picture of grant recipients at Healthy Charlotte Alliance’s annual meeting and grant award ceremony.
About Shining Hope Farms
Shining Hope Farms is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to enable children and adults to reach their full potential through the use of equine assisted activities and therapies. Programs provided include physical, occupational, and speech therapy utilizing equine movement as a treatment strategy called Hippotherapy. Shining Hope Farms is the only facility offering this treatment strategy in the counties that they operate in. Therapeutic Riding is also offered to children and adults. They are a Premier Accredited Center of PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International) as well as the American Hippotherapy Association, and currently operate sites in Gaston, Mecklenburg, and Catawba Counties. There are 20+ horses and 35+ staff members consisting of occupational and physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, PATH Intl. certified riding instructors, and administrative staff, plus many wonderful volunteers which make a well-rounded program. Shining Hope Farms is also a GuideStar Exchange Gold participant, a leading symbol of transparency and accountability among nonprofits. For more information, please visit our website at shininghopefarms.org or call 704-827-3788.
About Healthy Charlotte Alliance
Healthy Charlotte Alliance began as a service organization for spouses of physicians 78 years ago. Healthy Charlotte Alliance fulfills its mission to improve the health and quality of life for all people of Mecklenburg County through delivering educational health programming on relevant and timely topics, volunteering time through service opportunities at local health nonprofits, and financially investing in health programs demonstrating proven impact in our community. For more information, please visit www.healthycharlottealliance.org, like our Facebook page and/or follow us on Twitter @CltAlliance.