Create Healthy December Newsletter

Create Healthy Newsletter

December 2024

A Spirit of Giving and Investment

With the holidays in full swing, it’s the perfect opportunity to express our gratitude for the partnerships Create Healthy has built this year and the incredible Hill Country organizations we have the privilege to support.

Create Healthy expanded our portfolio of giving this year, adding new grantees like Mercy Gate Ministries and Comfort Golden Age Center Foundation, and we increased our giving to organizations like Bethany Preschool and the Little Hearts Child Development Center.

We also took on a new community-wide commitment to support our local schools in renovating and expanding their playgrounds so that our children have safe places to play and socialize.

I’m proud of the work we’re doing together to make our community a place where all can be healthy and thrive, and I thank you for your support and engagement.

From the Create Healthy family to yours, happy holidays!

In good health,

Jayne Pope, CEO of Create Healthy

Jayne Pope, RN, MBA

CEO, Create Healthy

Impact Update: Texas Ramp Project

With a Create Healthy healthy living grant, the Texas Ramp Project immediately swung into action building ramps for two local residents.

“Thank you for the generous donation Create Healthy has provided to the Texas Ramp Project in support our efforts to improve the lives of others in need. Your support of our work has empowered us to significantly change the lives of two families and for others yet to receive this blessing.” Don Barlow, coordinator, Austin West region, Texas Ramps Project

Fuel to the Fire

Two Weeks Left in Fuel to the Fire Campaign

Create Healthy selected nine local organizations for its 2024 Fuel to the Fire Campaign, challenging each organization to raise funds from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 to receive a $25,000 matching grant.

• Boys and Girls Club of the Highland Lakes

• Kindernest Montessori School

• Fredericksburg Parks Foundation

• Golden Hub Senior Center

• Comfort Golden Age Center Foundation

• The Grace Center of Fredericksburg

• Morning Hope Ministries

• Fredericksburg Police Department Foundation Fund

• Fredericksburg ISD Education Foundation

Investing in Early Childhood Development

In October, Create Healthy donated more than $2.2 million to advance projects for two Hill Country early childhood care providers to expand their service capacity.

• With a $1.5 million gift to Bethany Preschool’s Building Bright Futures Capital Campaign, the project continues moving forward to its next phase of development.

• A donation of more than $750,000 to the Little Hearts Childhood Development Center supports a year of salaries for staff, including the center director.

These Create Healthy donations are the second round of gifts to both organizations.

Safe Places to Play

Safe playgrounds for our elementary school students to play, make friends, and build healthy habits is a Create Healthy priority. Create Healthy is investing in area elementary schools to renovate, upgrade, and/or expand their playgrounds. The schools below have agreed to use the funds by Dec. 31, 2025 for improvements.

• Fredericksburg Elementary and Fredericksburg Primary Schools

• Ambleside School of Fredericksburg

• Heritage School

• Harper Elementary School

• Doss Elementary School

• Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School | Johnson City

• Blanco Elementary School

• Llano Elementary and Packsaddle Elementary Schools

• Mason Elementary School

• Comfort Elementary School

Create Healthy previously funded playground improvements at two other area elementary schools:

• St. Mary’s School

• Stonewall Elementary School

Grant Applications Open

Hill Country-area nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for grant funding from Create Healthy to support work in four areas:

  • Mental health
  • Early childhood development
  • Healthy living
  • Health education

Applications may be submitted any time. Funding decisions are made quarterly. Applications submitted by the first of February, May, August, and November will be considered in that quarter. Complete grant guidelines are available here.

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