The Sickle Cell Foundation of Greater Montgomery asked the Montgomery County Commission to help keep the organization’s services flowing to central Alabama residents with the blood disease.
Executive Director Monica VanDiver and Board President James Belton asked for funding on Aug. 19 because revenue sources have dried up as demand for services has increased.
Belton said that hot weather can put people with sickle cell disease in crisis. “This summer has been tough on us,” he said.
The foundation has been supported financially by partnerships and subcontracting with organizations such as the National Institute of Health, but the funding stopped during the COVID pandemic, VanDiver said. The foundation has had to pay Spanish language translators because its partner Baptist South closed an adult clinic.
In the meantime, they do their best to supplement funding through health fairs and fundraisers, she added. With funds from elsewhere also drying up, she said that she came to the commission on for help at the invitation of Commissioner Isaiah Sankey.
“These are the things that we need monies for to actively do what we do and continue to go forward because the increase in Montgomery County is horrific,” VanDiver said.
Chairman Doug Singleton cautioned that the commission is limited when funding other agencies due to budget constraints.
In addition to Montgomery, the foundation serves Autauga, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Coffee, Coosa, Crenshaw, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes, Tallapoosa and Wilcox counties.
The request will be considered at future meetings.
The Montgomery County Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 101 South Lawrence Street. Information sessions begin at 10 a.m. followed by the formal meeting.
Livestreamed meetings can be seen on the commission’s YouTube and Facebook pages.
Agendas with additional details can be found at the commission’s documents section of the website.
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...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM CDT MONDAY...
...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM MONDAY TO 10 AM CDT
TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with
gusts up to 40 mph expected. For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing
temperatures as low as 20 expected.
* WHERE...A portion of central Alabama.
* WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, until 1 PM CDT Monday. For the
Freeze Warning, from 10 PM Monday to 10 AM CDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees
could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frost and
freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and
possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
Secure outdoor objects.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM CDT MONDAY...
...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM MONDAY TO 10 AM CDT
TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with
gusts up to 40 mph expected. For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing
temperatures as low as 20 expected.
* WHERE...A portion of central Alabama.
* WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, until 1 PM CDT Monday. For the
Freeze Warning, from 10 PM Monday to 10 AM CDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees
could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frost and
freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and
possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
Secure outdoor objects.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
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