PENDLETON — Area emergency services received a shot in the arm from Open Hearts, Open Purses (OHOP) — the South Madison Community Foundation’s women’s giving circle — during the group’s recent annual banquet.
The membership voted to give its top grant award of $10,000 to Lapel Stony Creek Township Fire Territory, so 15 of its volunteer members can receive training to move from providing basic life support to advanced life support services.
“I’m very passionate about what the care of our department provides,” EMS Captain Jason Renner said after the fire territory was named the winner at the banquet Thursday, June 13, at Crystal Coop Reception and Event Center in Anderson. The funds will have a “huge impact on our community.”
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryThe fire agency was one of three finalists vying for the $10,000 prize.
The other two groups were More Than Conquerors, a Pendleton-based nonprofit that provides Christian after-school care and summer camp opportunities, and Project Hud;Son, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that focuses on bringing awareness to mental health, bullying, self-harm and suicide prevention and has worked in Pendleton recently with Pendleton Christian Church.
OHOP finalists had 10 minutes each during the night’s program to talk to the group of about 150 women in an effort to win their votes.
During his presentation, Renner highlighted a situation he said Lapel Stony Creek EMTs often find themselves in: being out on a run and unable to provide the care they know is needed but they’re not qualified to give. Instead, they must wait for someone from another department with the right certification to arrive and provide care or transport the patient to a hospital.
That delay could be meaningful, he said. In a diabetic emergency, for example, “brain cells are dying,” Renner said.
“Our customers deserve better, quicker care,” he said.
Renner said once the EMTs successfully complete the 160 hours of advanced life support training, in addition to improving care, the department also will save the about $20,000 per year it spends paying other agencies to respond to calls where advanced life support is needed.
OHOP works by pooling donations of $100 from at least 100 women to make a $10,000 grant. Donations beyond the first 100 are split by the second- and third-place finishers.
This is not the first year a fire department has won the top grant: in 2012, Pendleton Fire Department won for stabilizing equipment, and in 2013, Lapel Stony Creek Fire Territory won for thermal imaging equipment.
This year, the 10th year of the program, a record 157 women became members and donated, leaving More Than Conquerors and Project Hud;Son with runners-up awards of $2,850 each.
There were 12 junior members (17 and younger) registered this year. Junior members each make a $25 donation and vote separately for a single winner; this year they awarded $300 to Project Hud;Son.
A silent auction also raised $2,315 for an endowment fund that will be used for future grants, said Tammy Bowman, community foundation executive director.
OHOP committee chairwoman Jill Sizemore noted the growth of the program, which she said reflects the generosity, caring and desire to make a difference in the Pendleton community, qualities that also were evident “the past couple of weeks with the tornado.
“That’s how Pendleton operates,” she said.
“Part of that sense of community is shown right here in this room.”
It’s a sense that a couple of the members mentioned during the social time at the start of the event.
“The whole thing is a great community project with the money going to a worthwhile organization, just to help them along,” Cherie Myers said.
“It’s helps a lot in the community,” Nancy Hinkle said. But, she added, referring to the process of selecting one winner, “It’s always hard, because they’re all very good.”
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Previous Open Heart, Open Purses $10,000 grant winners:
2010 — Animal Protection League: therapeutic partnership
2011 — Imagination Library: books to preschoolers
2012 — Pendleton Fire Department: stabilizing equipment
2013 — Lapel Stony Creek Township Fire Territory: thermal imagery equipment
2014 — Pendleton Community Public Library: hygeine and cleanser pantry
2015 — Pendleton Artists Society: children’s programming
2016 — Safe Families For Children: host family network
2017 — Brown Pool Dive In 2 Swim: need-based instruction
2018 — Pendleton Primary School: inclusive playground
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