San Angelo Health Foundation Announces $358,093 in New Grants for 2nd Quarter 2019

SAN ANGELO, TX — The San Angelo Health Foundation's Board Chair Marilyn Aboussie announced the Foundation has awarded $358,093 to seven area nonprofits this quarter.

There are 210 organizations and 731 projects that have benefited from $54 million in Foundation funding since inception. The Health Foundation was formed with the assets of the sale of what is today known at San Angelo Community Medical Center to a private corporation in 1995 with an initial corpus of $44 million. The grant funding over the 24 years of the Foundation's existence aids projects of regional non-profit organizations that perform charitable assistance, training and educational support for the promotion of the general physical and mental health. The grants awarded principally are for the benefit of those in need and the general population of San Angelo. 

David Lupton, who steers the grants committee, said the following grants awarded this past quarter encompass disaster relief, education, health care and youth development:

Concho Valley Turning Point was awarded $23,593 for renovations to their men’s residential apartment and duplex. Concho Valley Turning Point’s mission is to help individuals and families become productive in life by addressing barriers of dysfunction through the process of rescuing, restoring and rebuilding lives. They address the issues of addiction, anger, abuse and other trauma through various faith-based support groups and individual mentoring. They also provide transitional housing to men enrolled in their program.

Girl Scouts of Central Texas was awarded $80,000 to launch a mobile Science Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) program. Girl Scouts have been involved in STEM programs for over 20 years. This new mobile program will bring the STEM curriculum to girls in the Concho Valley who are unable to attend STEM activities at the San Angelo Service Center.

San Angelo Diabetes Coalition was awarded $30,000 in program support. The Coalition focuses on kidney disease and diabetes particularly for the uninsured and underserved patients of the Concho Valley. They offer diabetic and nutrition education classes to the community.

San Angelo Disaster Relief Fund was awarded $100,000 to assist victims of the May 18, 2019 tornado. The fund is being administered by the San Angelo Area Foundation with the goal to assist residents in need of extended recovery assistance. Anyone who would like to contribute to the fund can do so by visiting the Area Foundation’s direct link at https://www.saafound.org/san-angelo….

Sterling County Emergency Medical Services was awarded $25,000 towards the purchase of a 2019 ambulance. This county is responsible for 924 square miles. They are the only emergency ambulance service serving in Sterling County. In 2018 they had 117 ambulance transports.

Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation was awarded $50,000 to hold a second Texas Mission of Mercy Event in San Angelo in April 2020. The Texas Mission of Mercy program is a mobile dental operation that travels around the state providing free dental services to underserved individuals performed by volunteer dentists and hygienists. Their goal is to serve 800 patients who are in need of dental care.

Western Texas Lions Eye Bank Alliance was awarded $19,500 toward the purchase of a new car. They were founded in 1974 to promote eye donor awareness and harvest donor corneal tissue for transplants to the communities of West Texas. Prevention of blindness and restoration of site is their primary objective.

Young Life was awarded $60,000 towards the purchase of two vans. Their mission is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. This non-denominational organization has grown immensely. They serve 300 high school students, 130 college students and 20 teen moms with proven programs.