By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer, Yukon Progress
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019, a faith-based Yukon ministry is reaching out “with open arms” through an annual sponsorship campaign.
The non-profit helping agency Compassionate Hands has launched its campaign as it marks a quarter century of providing critical services to the community.
A ministry of the Yukon Ministerial Alliance since 1994, the organization helps more than 250 families annually pay their rent and utilities, purchase prescriptions and buy personal and baby needs.
“We’re kicking off a 25th anniversary observance,” Compassionate Hands’ director Joanne Riley said.
The Compassionate Hands’ Care-a-Van travels nearly 30,000 miles each year taking senior citizens and people with disabilities to medical appointments, therapy, the grocery store and personal errands.
The Care-a-Van logs more than 200 trips a month, and that will increase when a second grant-funded accessible van hits the streets this spring.
Matching funds are being raised for an $18,000 challenge grant from the Anderson Charitable Foundation of Austin, Texas to help Compassionate Hands maintain the two vans.
Riley explained the rationale behind the “Joining Hands in Compassion” annual sponsorship effort.
“Our supporters can make one donation a year instead of having to be asked to give multiple times,” Riley said. “Then they will be sponsors for all our events (for that year) and for the van – for three months, six months or a year, depending on the level they choose.
“That way, our supporters can plan for the year and we can plan for the year. Some businesses have already shown interest and our churches have started to make their pledges for the year.”
Annual sponsorship levels and benefits are:
Circle of Compassion ($5,000 and above): Care-a-Van sponsor for entire year with color signage on van, highest-level sponsor for all fundraising events, six tickets to all events, and level listed on website and Facebook.
Gracious Givers ($3,000-$4,999): Care-a-Van sponsor for six months with color signage on van, mid-level sponsor for all fundraising events, four tickets to all events, and level listed on website and Facebook.
Linking Hands ($1,000-$2,999): Care-a-Van sponsor for three months with color signage on van, sponsor for all fundraising events, two tickets to all events, and level listed on website and Facebook.
Compassionate Friends ($50-$999): Listed on website and Facebook.
Compassionate Hands is governed by a 16-member board of directors: Father Tim Baer, Bill Baker, Alycia Barry, Jason Brunk, PhD., Lisa Everly, Marsha Felton, pastor Keith Henson, Jaquita Icenhower, Tim Ingram, Dr. Matt McQuade, pastor Kent Mullens, Heather Murphy, David Murphy, Cathy Patton, Sherry Poage, and pastor Ray Rhoton.
Call the Yukon Compassionate Hands’ office at 354-9591 or visit http://www.compassionatehands.org to learn more.