The Scioto Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of a new Acorn Fund to benefit local Red Cross disaster services. Named the “Friends of the Ohio River Valley Red Cross Chapter,” the fund has been initiated with a contribution made by Dr. Wayne and Saundra Wheeler.

“This fund has been established so that local people will have the opportunity to insure the on-going presence of the Red Cross in our area,” said Dr. Wheeler. “An endowment fund such as this one is important because it is guaranteed to stay local and support disaster relief in the future whether or not the local chapter is here.”

“I want to thank Saundra and Wayne Wheeler for the confidence they have placed in the Ohio River Valley Red Cross Chapter,” said Mary Arnzen, director of the local chapter. “Their action shows that they understand the importance of supporting the local Red Cross disaster services.”

“The Wheelers also understand the importance of the Scioto Foundation and the vital role it plays in supporting our community, Arnzen continued. “This fund will enable donors to have an option to donate to the Ohio River Valley Disaster Services through the Scioto Foundation.”

After she became director of the Ohio River Valley Red Cross Chapter A duplex fire had started on the side where a single mom and two kids lived. The mom had gone to the store and one of the sons attempted to cook, creating a grease fire. Both units of the duplex were totally destroyed, leaving ten people without a home, she related.

“The Ohio River Valley Chapter came in and provided a two-night stay in a hotel which allowed the victims to get their heads together and to understand what the next steps would be. The local chapter also offered both families cash assistance to replace the food and clothing they had lost in the fire. I felt so bad for the family because the mom was working a low-paying job and trying to make ends meet, and she could not afford a setback,” Arnzen said. “So with the monetary support from our community, the Red Cross was able to help these two families.”

That is one example of what money from the newly-established “Friends of the Ohio River Valley Red Cross Chapter” Acorn Fund will be used for, along with helping people who are afflicted by floods in our area, according to Arnzen.

To set up an Acorn Fund, a donor works with the Scioto Foundation staff to select a name and encourages minimum yearly contributions of $1,000. Donors can add to the fund at any time during the calendar year; contributions may also be made by other donors, relatives or friends. Once the goal of $10,000 is reached, distribution from the fund can begin.

The Scioto Foundation invests the funds and all earnings, including interest and dividends, back into the fund. The Foundation waives its minimum monthly fee until the $10,000 goal is reached.

More information about Acorn or other fund programs at the Scioto Foundation may be obtained by contacting Executive Director Kim Cutlip at (740) 354-4612 or send a message.

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