2017 Annual Newsletter
It's been an incredible year for The Arthur Guyton Foundation! Thanks to your help, we have been able to effectively utilize nearly $6,000 through our Sabado Community Health Initiative and Guyton Global Health Initiative focusing on polio, malnutrition, neglected tropical diseases, drug rehabilitation, obesity, and flood recovery.
Clay County Flood Cleanup
On June 23, 2016 a flood hit West Virginia affecting Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers, and Webster counties. A group of volunteers led by our organization spent a weekend in Clay County to help families cleanup and salvage whatever was left of their homes. Further, The Arthur Guyton Foundation purchased and donated necessary supplies. There is still much to do to help those affected by the flood that took the lives of 23 people, but West Virginia is on the road to recover from it.
Shanti Ashram
This year, the Arthur Guyton Foundation has partnered with Shanti Ashram in Coimbatore, India. With the $2,000 grant that they received from the Guyton Global Health Initiative, the hardworking volunteers and staff of Shanti Ashram have provided comprehensive vaccinations and nutritious meals to 100 children in rural India, including many who live with HIV. these funds have also provided pediatric check-ups and de-worming tablets, crucial preventative medical care for those most at risk. We visited the Shanti Ashram and their Bala Shanti Kendras (preschools) last year to see our Guyton Global Health Initiative at work.
New Vision
With our help, New Vision was able to complete the construction of their “Human Energy Center,” a youth sports facility designed to revitalize the community and combat obesity by getting children active and generating energy at the same time. Their goal is to ensure everyone stays active, even spectators. From the homemade solar panels to the bikes spectators pedal, the entire facility is powered by renewable energy.
Global Medical Brigades of West Virginia University
Every year, West Virginia University sends a delegation of students to serve in the Global Medical Brigades, an organization that sets up clinics in developing countries to provide the care that the residents desperately need. Unfortunately, the student volunteers have a huge cost to pay to attend, from flights to lodging. Through the Guyton Global Health Initiative, five scholarships were given to attendees that demonstrated great financial need and leadership experience to offset the costs.
Lily's Place
Lily’s Place provides comprehensive care for infants born addicted to opioid drugs. Based in Huntington, West Virginia, and serving the entire state, Lily’s Place is taking a lead in care for the youngest individuals affected by the opioid abuse epidemic. Further, they provide counseling services to families of the affected infants, so that they get the information and support they need upon their child’s discharge from the facility. The Arthur Guyton Foundation’s grant will help Lily’s Place purchase supplies to support their Parent Project. These supplies will be given to families at follow up clinics.
Rotary International - End Polio Now
Partnering with Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign, The Arthur Guyton Foundation has provided funding equivalent to over 5,000 polio vaccinations. Although in recent years, there has been a critical decline in Polio cases, three countries remain affected: Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. We are committed to continuing our efforts to eradicate polio, and along with our partners, we will not stop until not a single child is burdened with the disease.
Berkeley County BackPack
For the second consecutive year, the Berkeley County Backpack Program received a grant from The Arthur Guyton Foundation. The grant has paid for the purchase of nutritious snacks for underprivileged children in Berkeley County. The program is entirely run by volunteers, ensuring that all of the money that we contribute goes directly to those in need. The Berkeley County Backpack Program’s commitment to child nutrition has led them to innovate. Last year, the program introduced fresh fruits and vegetables.
