NONPROFITS
SONIC surprises healthcare workers with gift cards
Local healthcare workers received a surprise from the SONIC Foundation this month. Employees at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, Mercy Health, Integris Health and OU Health received 400 $25 gift cards: 200 SONIC, 50 Dunkin’ Donuts, 50 Arby’s, 50 Buffalo Wild Wings and 50 Jimmy John’s.
The SONIC Foundation — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and operating division of the Inspire Brands Foundation — is focused on brighter futures for America’s youth through the support of three pillars: hunger, education and community.
“Our local healthcare workers here in Oklahoma City go above and beyond to support and nurture our community, and we want to thank them for the sacrifices they continue to make every day in order to keep us safe,” said Claudia San Pedro, president of SONIC Drive-In at Inspire Brands. “We recognize the incredible contribution of these frontline workers, and we hope this small token of appreciation adds joy to their day.”
For more information, go to foundation.inspirebrands.com.
Sunbeam launches new volunteer program
Sunbeam Family Services announces a new volunteer program to help build brighter futures with all children and families.
Through Classroom Buddies, volunteers support an early learning environment by reading to young children, having lunch with the children, engaging in activities and helping with nap time.
Through Wacky Wednesdays, volunteers help engage families in an activity that stimulates brain development while nurturing the parent and child relationship by welcoming families into the activity space and engaging in STEAM activities.
Volunteers must be 18 or older and vaccinated. For more information or to sign up, go to sunbeamfamilyservices.org/volunteer or contact Colleen Howe at chowe@sunbeamfamilyservices.org or 405-609-1755. To learn more about Sunbeam, call 405-528-7721 or go to sfsok.org.
New community positions to help boost vaccine rates
A partnership between the National Urban League and the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration will allow six Urban League affiliates, including the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc., to build vaccine confidence and boost COVID-19 vaccination through the positions of community health navigators.
The National Urban League has been awarded $1,321,200 to recruit, hire, train and support community health navigators through the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc. The award applies $700,000 for operations, $571,200 for navigator payments and $50,000 for incentives.
The navigators will interact with the public by conducting outreach and engagement activities in these communities and assisting community members in getting vaccinated and boosted.
For more information, go to urban leagueok.org.
Local Links chapter receives $5,000 grant
The Oklahoma City chapter of the Links, Inc., was one of 36 chapters selected by the Central Area of the Links, Inc., to participate in the Black K.A.R.E.
Project, which aims to increase awareness of chronic kidney disease.
As part of the initiative’s phase two funding cycle, the chapter received a $5,000 subgrant. To better support local communities, all members of the chapter will participate in online training and have access to an eToolkit.
Black Americans account for 35% of people with kidney failure, according to the National Kidney Foundation, and chronic kidney disease is associated with hypertension and diabetes. Black K.A.R.E. programming, which focuses on awareness, prevention, screening, management and improvement in health outcomes, has been crucial for communities where access to care and resources are limited.
March is National Kidney Awareness Month. C. Anita Jones and Donna Vaughn will lead the chapter’s activities. For more information, go to blackkare.org. For questions, contact Charese Jones at 214-280-5611 or charesej@yahoo.com