FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2009

Contact: James T. Morton
President, J. Marion Sims Foundation
(803) 286-8772

Medical care and assistance with basic needs for low-income citizens are among projects funded by the J. Marion Sims Foundation’s most recent grant awards. A total of seven organizations in Lancaster, Chester and York counties are recipients of grants totaling slightly more than $1.1 million.

“Currently, a number of citizens find it difficult to obtain good medical care or to meet their basic needs for a variety of reasons,” said Foundation President Jim Morton. “We’re pleased to make awards to help meet these needs as well as others in Lancaster County, Great Falls and Fort Lawn.”

Grant awards were made to:

• CareNet - $529,522 for one year to fund operational costs of its Care Health Center that provides comprehensive medical services for area residents regardless of ability to pay;
• Christian Services - $43,710 for one year for its food pantry that provides food assistance for low-income families;
• HOPE in Lancaster - $468,000 for one year to help qualifying Lancaster citizens to meet basic needs, including food, shelter, and heat;
• Keystone Substance Abuse Services - $18,000 for one year for services to clients from Lancaster County;
• Lancaster County Council of the Arts - $17,500 for one year to sustain the arts therapy program at Southside Early Childhood Development Center, operations, and future planning;
• Life Skills Opportunity Corporation - $27,500 for one year for its program of supplementing child care expenses for teenage mothers furthering their education;
• USC Lancaster - $54,600 for one year for its program of providing membership assistance to qualifying individuals for the Gregory Health and Wellness Center.

The J. Marion Sims Foundation supports programs of prevention and education that enhance health and wellness in Lancaster County, South Carolina and the communities of Great Falls and Fort Lawn.