By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
A Yukon non-profit ministry is seeking year-end gifts from individuals, businesses and organizations who support its service mission.
A plea for help has been issued by executive director Joanne Riley and the 13-member board of directors of Compassionate Hands, Inc.
With economic challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, “so many in our community are experiencing temporary crisis – with evictions, utility cutoffs and need for everyday personal items, medication and baby needs.”
That’s the message Riley and the board are sending through a recent letter to Compassionate Hands’ friends and supporters.
“Our board looks forward to the response to our year-end campaign,” Riley said. “Our partner Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services has really stepped up and will match donations up to $3,000.
“All gifts are appreciated so we can better serve Yukon. Anything will make a difference to our neighbors in need.”
For example:
- $25 provides an elderly woman a ride to dialysis three times a week;
- $50 pays for a senior or person with a disability transportation to a doctor’s appointment in Oklahoma City;
- $75 provides one month of diapers for a mom;
- $100 provides a family with personal hygiene items for a month; or
- $250 helps a struggling family pay a utility bill or be used toward monthly rent.
All contributions are tax-deductible. Anyone interested in giving or volunteering should call 405-354-9591 or visit compassionatehandsyukon.com.
27 YEARS OF SERVICE
Compassionate Hands has helped Yukon residents in temporary crisis since 1994. The organization serves as a clearing house, networking service and referral agency to provide services and support while encouraging positive life change.
“Since of the first of this year, we’ve assisted 275 families with 680 household members with rent, utilities, medication and personal items,” Riley reported.
“Our two accessible vans provide more than 200 rides per month to our seniors and residents with disabilities.”
Compassionate Hands’ Care-a-Van program recently earned a huge boost when it was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Sarkeys Foundation.
“We last received a Sarkeys grant in 2018,” Riley said. “It really comes at a great time. It will help us since we just started having in-person fundraisers again, highlighted by our recent fall card party benefit.”
Other large grants received in 2021 were $12,000 from the Yukon Community Support Foundation, $8,000 from the Canadian County United Way and $5,000 from the Cox Foundation, along with several substantial gifts from Yukon churches.
“We will be looking for more grants and financial contributions as we kick off a new year,” Riley said. “We truly appreciate all our faithful supporters and anyone considering becoming a new donor.
“At Compassionate Hands, we want to be on solid footing by the end of 2021 so we can reach out and serve more people in 2022.”
The agency’s clients are Yukon residents facing temporary crisis and local senior citizens and the disabled who need transportation to medical appointments and personal errands.
