Laurel Lake Foundation reaches
out locally, regionally
with $286,000 in community grants during 2007
January 22, 2008 ..... In addition to $157,600 disbursed for essential programs and services within the Laurel Lake campus in 2007, the Laurel Lake Foundation also awarded $128,350 in grants to promote a positive environment of lifelong learning, wellness and growth for people living in neighboring cities, especially seniors.
Among the grants made by the Laurel Lake Foundation in 2007:
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PERSONAL HEALTH PARTNERS PROGRAM. For the eighth year, Laurel Lake invested $69,400 in its ongoing partnership with the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority and Catholic Healthcare Partners, providing free nurse visits and wellness programs for over 300 residents of two low-income senior housing complexes in the Greater Akron area. AMHA and CHP partners donated $35,000. "As participants have success in moving towards their health goals, more residents are attracted to the program," says Carol Telesman, RN, program coordinator. "With greater participation in wellness initiatives, residents are reporting that they feel healthier and stronger, with fewer health emergencies."·
LAUREL LAKE PARISH NURSE PROGRAM. A $20,000 grant enabled Parish Nurse Karen Verner to continue medical and spiritual care services to families of St. Mary’s Church and the First Congregational Church of Hudson. The two congregations now provide $40,000 in additional support themselves. This umbrella program offers counseling, referral services, blood pressure screenings, flu shot clinics, wellness newsletters, health fairs, medical bill and insurance claim resolution, Women’s and Men’s Health Workshops, "Faithfully Fit Forever" exercise classes and a thriving Prayer Quilt Ministry. "In 2007 we added Red Cross CPR/AED training at both churches, as well as Healing Services–a Friendly Visitor Ministry, and American Red Cross blood drives," says Verner.·
KEYS TO A SHARP MIND. Laurel Lake disbursed $32,000 in the first year of a 3-year educational study for older adults, funded by a $90,000 grant from the Reinberger Foundation. The "Keys to a Sharp Mind" program studies the benefits of intellectually, socially stimulating lifestyle programs in promoting cognitive fitness ("brain health") in seniors. Hundreds of Laurel Lake residents and local seniors are enrolled and taking an interesting mix of art, music, history, politics, memory building, writing and computer skills classes on Laurel Lake’s campus.·
HABITS OF THE HEART. The first $5,000 installment of a 16-month, $25,400 grant from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation has launched Laurel Lake’s "Habits of the Heart" Youth Philanthropy Project in partnership with Seton Catholic School. The innovative project pairs middle school students with Laurel Lake resident "mentors," serving together on a board to practice the grantmaking process by identifying community needs and distributing $10,000 in grant monies.·
HUDSON LIBRARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Laurel Lake presented the fourth $10,000 installment of its 5-year, $50,000 commitment toward Hudson Library’s Laurel Lake Living Room. Overlooking the First & Main Green, this attractive setting is used for small group gatherings and historic displays.·
HUDSON VETERANS MEMORIAL. A grant of $2,000 helped make the Hudson Veterans Memorial Garden at Markillie Cemetery a reality. The memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day 2007.·
HUDSON FARMERS MARKET. The flourishing Hudson Farmers Market on the Green hosted Senior Day activities, thanks to a $1,000 sponsorship from the Foundation.·
HUDSON LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS. A $2,000 grant enabled the Hudson League of Women Voters to publish and distribute Voter’s Guides throughout the community.·
LAUREL LAKE WORKSHOP. A $5,000 grant completed renovations to the Laurel Lake Workshop, now a carpenter’s dream with industrial grade equipment, a state-of-the-art dust filtration system and other upgrades. Laurel Lake residents will continue to turn out purpose-built community service projects, such as the construction of benches for a nearby AMHA senior housing facility.·
SCHOLARSHIPS. Education grants of $12,200 were awarded to support twelve Laurel Lake employees pursuing degrees in nursing, health studies, accounting, marketing, pre-medicine and criminology. Another $1,450 was awarded for Portage County 4-H Club Trophies.·
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION RADIO SERVICES (WCRS). A $10,000 gift provided general operational support to WCRS Radio, offering newsreading services for the vision-impaired throughout Northeast Ohio.·
NORTHEAST OHIO PERFORMING ARTS. Performing arts groups received combined support totaling $7,500. A $3,000 grant sponsored the Western Reserve Academy’s 2007/2008 "Music of the Western Reserve" concert series opener with The Cleveland Trombones; $2,000 to The Encore School for Strings; and $2,500 to sponsor the Hudson Bandstand’s 2008 Summer Concert series.·
SECOND WIND DREAMS. Laurel Lake’s award-winning Second Wind Dreams program, making dreams come true for seniors and challenging common misperceptions about aging, received a boost with the Foundation’s $3,700 grant to cover transportation and other costs.·
HUDSON JOB SEARCH. Laurel Lake joined local companies and organizations as a sponsor of Hudson Job Search, providing employment assistance free of charge to the Hudson community, with a $2,000 grant.·
ALZHEIMER'S MEMORY WALK. Laurel Lake’s $3,000 sponsorship of the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk will support accelerated research and move closer to a cure.Over the years, Laurel Lake Retirement Community has established a reputation of excellence in Northeastern Ohio as a premier retirement community and one with a strong focus on mission and service to older adults. Laurel Lake’s core values of compassion, excellence, human dignity, justice, sacredness of life, and service guide its leadership and contribute to the unique and caring spirit of the community. To learn more about Laurel Lake, the Laurel Lake Foundation and ways to support current and future needs, please contact the Foundation office at 1-866-655-1435 or visit Laurel Lake's website at
www.laurellake.org. Laurel Lake is part of the Catholic Healthcare Partners family of senior living communities and healthcare providers.