The Foundation for Community Care's Bridge Fund is just one of the many services they have helped provide funding.
It is that time again and people across Richland County are receiving mailings asking for donations to the Foundation For Community Care's Bridge Fund. Those who donate have a chance to help ease one of the results of living in Eastern Montana.
There are times when Sidney Health Center patients need a specialist at a larger facility for further treatment. This can be a stressful time for the family because often the specialist is hundreds if not thousands of miles away. The Bridge Fund was created to help ease the financial burden associated with travel costs in these circumstances. The Bridge Fund is designed to help families and individuals who are currently receiving healthcare from Sidney Health Center and are required to seek treatment elsewhere. Each family in need is allowed to file one application per year for the grant program. If they are approved, patients are awarded up to $500 to help ease the cost of transportation to their specialist appointment. Sidney Health Center patients can apply by picking up a printed copy at either the Foundation for Community Care office at 221 2nd St. NW, or Sidney Health Center, calling or emailing the Foundation for Community Care office, or just printing off an application from their website, foundationforcommunitycare.org, and turning it into the office.
Previous donors will be receiving a mailing soon if they have not already received one. According to the mailing, this year, they are featuring the Dragers, a family of six, whose youngest member was born with clubfeet. Nolan Drager was referred to Ortho Montana in Miles City after a few treatments; however, he was referred again to Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, WA, 739 miles away. "We were relieved to know that the Foundation for Community Care's Bridge Fund could help with the cost of travel for Nolan to get the care he needed," said his mother, Kaylie. In 2023, the Bridge Fund has been awarded to 44 patients, covering $20,750 in travel expenses. When donors make either a memorial or honorary gift to the Bridge Fund the Foundation for Community Care will send a special holiday card to whomever they want and if the foundation receives it before Dec. 13, they will recognize the memorials and honorariums in the Roundup Newspaper.
Foundation business hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. They can be reached by phone at 406-488-2273.
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