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 The Foundation has completed its twenty-third series of grants, and is pleased to report to the community that since the Foundation was established in 1996, it has approved over $5,000,000 in grants to related health and wellness programs through September of 2009. Our mission states that we will support programs that promote the physical and mental well being of the citizens of the area served by the Foundation-Holmes, Stark, Tuscarawas, and Wayne counties in Ohio. The board also believes that it is important to further the education of healthcare personnel if we are to have an impact on improving the health of those most in need. With that in mind, we award scholarships to individuals who are furthering their education in the health and wellness area. Currently, a $4,000 annual scholarship is awarded to five schools of higher education for one or two of their students. These schools are Kent State University-Tuscarawas Campus, Kent State University-Stark Campus, Malone University, Stark State College of Technology, and Walsh University. A $6,000 scholarship is also awarded to a student at Ohio University enrolled in the School of Osteopathic Medicine. When the Foundation was originally established, a health and wellness needs assessment study was made by Kent State University-Stark Campus in order to prioritize the areas of critical need in the four county area being served by the Foundation. An update of this assessment developed by Kent State University-Stark Campus was completed to include the 2000 census data, and information from this study is used as our continual guide in an effort to address the public's concern and need for health and wellness programs. The Foundation has supported heavily two areas of need outlined in the assessment. One of these is the need for prescription drugs for those unable to afford them. Through the Prescription Assistance Network (PAN), whose staff assists other non-profits in obtaining prescription drugs for their clients, we have assisted many individuals in Stark County in procuring prescription drugs. Another area heavily supported by us relates to the oral health needs in our area. Several major grants have been made to support dental clinics that provide treatment to those underinsured or uninsured. A listing of each grant that we have made since our inception is included in this web site. We continue to strive to maintain awareness of the health and wellness needs in our four county area, and to address those needs through our grant making. We strive to award our dollars to those non-profit organizations that can help us fulfill our mission.
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