The Friends Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to providing financial support to the elderly and to those in need of nursing care, whether in a nursing home, an independent living center, or at their own home in the greater Dripping Springs, Texas area. The Friends Foundation’s program, Our Daily Bread, delivers meals to elderly home bound residents in the Dripping Springs area. The organization may also support any other non-profit organization which provides care to the elderly or serves the greater Dripping Springs community.
The Friends Foundation was originally incorporated as Friends of Hill Country Care in January 2003 to provide financial support to Hill Country Care Nursing Home in Dripping Springs, Texas, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-owned and managed facility. Friends of Hill Country Care raised money through an annual barbecue fund raiser and grant writing to provide monies to keep the nursing home open and to address significant repair and deferred maintenance issues.
When the nursing home became a for-profit corporation in March 2004, Friends of Hill Country Care discussed their role with the new management of the nursing home. Both parties agreed that providing support to the residents at the nursing home instead of providing funds for capital needs was an appropriate and an important role the organization still needed to fulfill. Friends of Hill Country Care changed its name and broadened the scope of its purpose while continuing to keep the needs of the residents of Hill Country Care a part of its mission.
The scope of the organization has been broadened to include the following purposes:
1.
Providing financial support to the qualifying elderly and those in need of nursing care, whether in a nursing home, an independent living center or other facility, or at their own home in the greater Dripping Springs, Texas area.
2.
Provide assistance programs to enhance the safety and quality of life for area seniors.
3.
Support any other non-profit organization which provides care to the elderly or serves the greater Dripping Springs community and is exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code.
4.
Underwriting the "Butterflies are Free" program, a palliative care program through Hill Country Care Nursing Home.
5.
Beginning and underwriting Philips Lifeline Medi Alert Program, a program which provides medical alert buttons to provide a method of reaching help simply by pushing a button on a device worn at all times.
6.
In partnership with Provident Memory Care facilitates the Safe Return Program in the greater Dripping Springs area for those six out of ten people with Alzheimer'swho will wander.
7.
Supporting any other non-profit organization which provides care to the elderly or serves the greater Dripping Springs community and is exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code.
The Board of Directors
The Friends Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers from the Dripping Springs community. No member of the Board of Directors receives a salary or other compensation except to reimburse the Board member for approved expenses advanced on behalf of The Friends Foundation. All proceeds from any monies raised or donated to our organization are used to benefit The Friends Foundation's goals. The Board holds monthly meetings. We welcome any interested persons to join us and assist with our activities.
The Board of Directors of The Friends Foundation is currently composed of:
Financial Assistance is our only program where qualifying is based on an applicant's income.
1.
The Friends Foundation will accept completed applications for Financial Assistance for individuals over the age of 60 from nursing centers, community nonprofit groups; or the caretaker or party responsible for the management of the affairs of such person. Requests for Financial Assistance must clearly state the need, the dollar amount being requested, and other foundations, groups, or individuals who have been contacted regarding the need. The Application will be reviewed by The Friends Foundation board in accordance with the guidelines stated below. Applications are available online through The Friends Foundation website: www.thefriendsfoundation.org or by mail.
2.
All requests for Financial Assistance must include proof of residency in the greater Dripping Springs area. Requests must further include the applicant's physical address and mailing address, home and work telephone numbers, fax number, and e-mail address.
3.
All requests for Financial Assistance must also include a copy of the applicant's three (3) most recent tax returns, if the applicant's income is great enough to require filing an income tax return, as well as a statement of assets including amounts held in currency, bank accounts, savings accounts, or certificates of deposit, or the market value of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and similar liquid assets, but not including the value of the applicant's home or other fixed assets. No applicant will be considered if their Area Median Income exceeds the level defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") as "very low income" (50% of Median Income*) for the Austin/San Marcos Metropolitan Statistical Area as adjusted annually by HUD.
4.
All requests for Financial Assistance will be kept strictly confidential unless the applicant directs otherwise in writing to The Friends Foundation.
5.
The maximum amount of assistance to any one individual in any six month period will be $2,500.
6.
Some examples of services which The Friends Foundation will consider for funding are:
Dentures and Dental exams
Eyeglasses and exams
Hearing aids and Hearing exams
Medication expenses not covered by Medicare or Medicaid
Retrofitting homes
Utility bills and rent
Wheel chairs, shower chairs, bedside commodes, walkers, crutches and other necessary devices not covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
This is your opportunity to enroll in or renew your "Friends of The Friends Foundation" membership. Your tax deductible contribution has made and will continue to make a difference in the lives of the elderly in the greater Dripping Springs area by helping provide much needed services. Some of The Friends Foundation's programs include:
Our Daily Bread (a 100% locally funded "meals on wheels" type program)
Financial support for hearing aids, eyeglasses, dentures, medical bills, utilities, rent etc.
Philips Lifeline Med-Alert Program
Blood Pressure and Osteoporosis Screening Clinics
Support special activities for residents at Hill Country Care (the Thanksgiving Dinner for residents and their family members and the Community Halloween Trick or Treat at Hill Country Care).
Enroll or renew your membership to receive periodic email letters informing you of The Friends Foundation's programs and events. Sustaining Friends will receive the email newsletter as well as having their name listed in the program for the annual Friends Foundation's BBQ Fundraiser at the Salt Lick Pavilion. To enroll or renew, download and complete the membership form and return it with your contribution to: The Friends Foundation P.O. Box 8, Dripping Springs, TX 78620.
