 November 20, 2009, MORRIS, IL – As a result of a $1,000 grant from the Morris Hospital Foundation, Easter Seals Joliet Region will be expanding its free, birth to three developmental screenings in Grundy County.
Previously, Easter Seals has conducted an annual screening for children birth to three years at a child care facility in Morris. The grant from the Morris Hospital Foundation will enable Easter Seals to offer screenings at two locations in Grundy County on a quarterly basis.
“The screenings are provided by specially trained and credentialed therapists and are important because they help to identify any developmental delays or concerns with children at a young age,” says Gayle Valentine, Vice President of Program Development at Easter Seals. “The grant provided by the Morris Hospital Foundation will help address the healthcare and wellness needs of the youngest members of Grundy County by enabling more children to receive a developmental screening.”
Serving residents of Grundy, Will, Kankakee, Kendall, Ford and Iroquois counties, Easter Seals Joliet Region’s mission is to increase independence, maximize opportunities, minimize barriers and enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and those with special needs, as well as their families.
This year, the Morris Hospital Foundation is awarding nine health care grants totaling over $27,000 to fund initiatives that improve the health and well-being of members of the communities served by Morris Hospital. This is the eighth year for the Morris Hospital Foundation’s grant program, which was made possible through funding from a bequest from a community member several years ago.
In addition to Easter Seals, grant recipients for 2009 include: Christian Youth Center of Morris, Grundy County No Tolerance Task Force, Guardian Angel Community Services, MVK Ambulance, Morris Fire Protection, Seneca Volunteer Ambulance, United Cerebral Palsy and United Methodist Church in Channahon.
As a result of a prior appeal, the Morris Hospital Foundation is awarding six other area organizations a combined $14,000 in funding that will assist with the purchase of automated external defibrillators and other life saving equipment.
The Morris Hospital Foundation, which is governed by a 17-member, volunteer board of directors, was established in 1994 to enhance the work of Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers. The Foundation, through its fundraising efforts, provides donors the opportunity to make outright, as well as legacy gifts impacting both the community’s immediate and future healthcare needs.
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