OLM OUTREACH EXCEEDS FUNDRAISING GOAL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sr. Mary Joseph Ritter
Telephone: (843) 559-4109
Fax: (843) 559-8819
Email
Web site address: www.olmoutreach.org
Johns Island, South Carolina, October 3, 2008
Sister Mary Joseph Ritter, Executive Director of Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services, Inc., today announced that the organization had officially exceeded the capital campaign fundraising goal for its “Wellness House Capital Campaign.”
According to Sister Mary Joseph: “Our Board originally set a goal of $3.5 million. However, after receiving a capital “challenge grant” from the Kresge Foundation, we increased our goal to $4.5 million. As of today, we have raised over $4.6 million. We are deeply grateful to all of those who supported us in this effort. The generous gifts we have received, and the incredible dedication and energy of our campaign volunteers, have been overwhelming.”
The Kresge Foundation grant challenged the organization to raise a total of $4 million, with the Foundation agreeing to provide an additional $500,000 if that goal was met.
Sister Mary Joseph added: “We were honored to receive donations from over 350 individuals, foundations and organizations. Their belief in the services we provide is very encouraging to us.” Outstanding contributions to the capital campaign included the $500,000 Kresge Foundation challenge grant and a $500,000 grant from the Spaulding-Paolozzi Foundation of Charleston. In addition, with the sponsorship of the Medical University of South Carolina, the Outreach received a $770,000 three year grant from the Duke Endowment to transition into the new Wellness House.
In 2007-2008 the Wellness House provided 1,552 dental patient visits, and 1,168 prenatal and women’s health patient visits. The new facility, currently nearing completion, will provide over 5,000 square feet of service space, and will enable the Outreach to increase the number of people it serves by 25% immediately, and by 50% within five years. Sixteen dentists, four retired dentists and two OB/GYN physicians donate their time to supplement the work of the Wellness House staff of four. The Wellness House is operated by the Outreach, as the organization is known locally, in cooperation with the Medical University of South Carolina and Roper St. Francis Hospital.
The Wellness House Capital Campaign was chaired by Michael Robinson of Charleston, with the assistance of Corporate DevelopMint capital campaign consultants. Architects for the building are Cusick/Hazeltine Architects and the general contractor is Cook/Bonner Construction.
Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services, Inc. established in 1989, is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy. The organization provides educational, health, and emergency outreach services to individuals who are economically poor on James, Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. The Outreach also operates the Neighborhood House in Charleston.
The new Wellness House on Johns Island.