FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Keri Olson, St. Clare Health Care Foundation

(608) 356-1449; Keri_Olson@ssmhc.com

ST. CLARE FOUNDATION AWARDS $10,000 IN GRANTS

    BARABOO, WISCONSIN; January 3, 2008 -- Seven area businesses, agencies and organizations are the recipients of the St. Clare Health Care Foundation’s first round of Healthy Community Partnership Grants.  

     This new grants initiative provides funding once annually to organizations, businesses and groups for programs and activities that advance the health and wellness of those living in the greater Baraboo-Lake Delton-Wisconsin Dells area. 

     A total of $10,000 was made available for the 2007 grants.  The maximum individual grant award was limited to $2,000. 

The 2007 Healthy Community Partnership Grants were awarded to:

• Baraboo District Ambulance Services - $2,000 for Instant Confirmation of Endotrachial Intubation Insertions 
• Baraboo Public Library - $2,000 for “Get Healthy @ Baraboo Public Library” program
• Home Health United - $2,000 for Shingles/Zostavax Outreach and Education for Vaccination 
• Dells Area Alliance for Young Children - $1,500 for the co-facilitation of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Summer Food Service Program for children in need
• Greater Sauk County Community Foundation - $1,000 for the Sauk County Children’s Dental Care Fund, an ongoing collaboration with the Care Mobile of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison
• Rock Springs Public Library - $1,000 for Open Gym Night at the Rock Springs Community Center
• Sauk County Association for Home & Community Education - $500 for Lynn’s Legacy Care Kits for Sauk County citizens undergoing chemotherapy 

     “We were overwhelmed by the number of excellent grant applications that we received for our first round of Healthy Community Partnership Grants,” explained Foundation Director Keri Olson.  “We received 19 proposals with funding requests totaling nearly $30,000, three times the amount of funding that we had available.  Those selected as grant recipients represent programs that we believe have far-reaching capabilities in terms of advancing local health and wellness.”    

     The new Healthy Community Partnership Grants initiative was funded by a portion of the income derived annually from the St. Clare Health Care Foundation’s endowment.  That income also funds medical equipment and other capital needs for St. Clare facilities, as well as other local health care programs and services.

     “From the time the St. Clare Health Care Foundation was established nearly seven years ago, our foundation’s board of directors has developed initiatives that give back to the community, in appreciation for their generous support of our work,” Olson explained.  “Our Pathways to Wellness Seminars program was developed from that philosophy. The Healthy Community Partnership Grants initiative is yet another way for the Foundation to thank the community for its support and to partner with those who wish to improve the health and wellness of local residents.”

     For more information about the Healthy Community Partnership Grants, visit the St. Clare Health Care Foundation’s website:  www.stclare.com/foundation or call (608) 356-1449.