The new year has started off with a significant increase to our Good Samaritan Fund as a result of a successful Dollar-A-Day campaign. In early December, letters and donation cards were sent to nearly 600 Meadowlark Hills supporters, inviting one-time donations or regularly scheduled gifts to the Fund throughout 2016.

About 20% have accepted the invitation to date, resulting in gifts/pledges totaling $37,295. Thank you! This amount is greater than D-A-D campaign contributions in 2014 and twice the amount donated or pledged in 2012, the year the effort was implemented and campaign details, such as the number of pieces mailed, were first tracked. Many recent gifts/pledges were for $365, one dollar for each day of the year, or higher.

Comparing this recent campaign to the 2014 effort reveals a slight increase in the number of gifts from employees, residents and our founding churches. Gifts from Passport holders and board members also are recorded.

The Good Samaritan Fund assists residents living in Meadowlark Hills healthcare houses who have exhausted their financial resources. About 40% of residents in healthcare benefit from this fund.

It’s significant to note that giving levels to the Dollar-A-Day campaign have increased or stayed steady despite the competition for charitable dollars from other local and national not-for-profit organizations. In addition, those who support the Good Samaritan Fund have several other timed opportunities throughout the year to give. Grow Green Match Day is in April, the Honor a Legacy campaign kicks off in May, and HOGtoberfest occurs each October. The Fund also benefits from many unplanned contributions given in memory of a loved one.

If you’d like to support the Foundation’s charitable mission during this campaign and haven’t yet done so, it’s not too late;  several giving options are available. A one-time donation with cash, check or credit card is welcome, or gifts may be automatically deducted from a checking or savings account. Employees, your gifts may be deducted regularly from your pay checks. How convenient!

If you have questions, suggestions or would like to support the Good Samaritan Fund, please contact Becky Fitzgerald, Development Director, at 323-3843.