Giving Back this Holiday Season: The Health Wagon
This isn’t the first time I’ve featured The Health Wagon on Wardrobe Oxygen. Ever since I saw this organization featured on 60 Minutes I’ve been a supporter. A percentage of what I earn from Wardrobe Oxygen is donated to The Health Wagon on a monthly basis.
The Health Wagon’s mission is to provide compassionate, quality health care to the medically underserved people in the Mountains of Appalachia. 98% of their patients are uninsured and 70% have an annual income of less than $20,000 even though many work multiple jobs. This means they make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private insurance. Those who do have insurance may have copays or deductibles so high they still can’t afford to visit a doctor. The Health Wagon serves individuals and families with free primary and preventive care, dental, behavioral health, telehealth, and specialty care.
Since 1980, this nonprofit organization has been providing mobile health services to the medically underserved. Every dollar donated to The Health Wagon is approximately $100 reaped in health care benefits. In 2013, the Health Wagon assisted more than 11,000 patients obtain access to care valued at over $1 million. Through partnership with many pharmaceutical companies, the Virginia Health Care Foundation and Mountain Empire Older Citizens Agency, the Health Wagon’s Pharmacy Connect Program also provided $1.2 million in pharmacy assistance to patients in 2013.
From your donation, only 10% goes to administrative and fundraising activities, all other funding goes toward program expenses. The Health Wagon is very transparent with how their money is spent and the organization is run. Their site is chock full of information and those who donate receive a newsletter with updates on The Health Wagon.
If you’re in the area, The Health Wagon seeks volunteers. While they need medical professional volunteers such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, RNs, and LPNs they also can use the support of other individuals to help with administrative tasks to keep the Health Wagon running smoothly.
To learn more about The Health Wagon, visit their website. To donate, text “Wagon” to 41444, or click here to donate by credit card or PayPal.
Each Sunday through the holidays I’m sharing an organization that is close to my heart and could use your support. ‘Tis the season for giving and a time for sharing, it’s a time to care for those who need your help, and a time to make a positive difference. If you have an organization you feel should be featured don’t hesitate to contact me!
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I wanted to add this information a reader emailed me; she approved me sharing it and it’s great information:
Here’s a piece I
wrote recently for FB. (I’m a lawyer with some federal Indian law
experience – I worked on the case that resulted in federal recognition
of the historical treaty promised Saginaw Chippewa reservation
boundaries – in MI)
**********There
is a horrific irony in water cannons, rubber bullets, and other
violence being used against tribes protesting to maintain clean water
and tribal sovereignty…during the week of Thanksgiving.
The right to assemble – to peacefully protest – is a founding value of the United States.
In
September we saw protesters attacked by security company dogs whose
handlers were not licensed to provide security in North Dakota. Per the
sheriff’s department, cases have been forwarded to prosecutors for
charging decisions, as well as a security licensing board.
– http://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/investigators-dog-handlers-were-not-licensed-to-work-security/article_4414ac82-191b-516a-bdd7-a4d0ff635247.html
Just a few days ago, a protestor was so badly injured that she may lose her arm. She is being treated at HCMC.
– https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sU15VLnlJlEdVB4H6SmLaQ2gQ25mtSjpFpVu4daGVTE/edit
– http://www.snopes.com/2016/11/22/standing-rock-protester-in-danger-of-losing-arm-after-police-use-force/
– http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/23/503120449/woman-injured-at-standing-rock-protest-might-lose-arm-family-says?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=2050
If that isn’t enough for you to support Standing Rock…
To
my knowledge, Standing Rock has vocally opposed this pipeline (in
various ways), since approximately 2006. The project required federal
permits from the Army Corps, who are required by law to consult with the
tribe…a sovereign nation. At least three federal agencies are on
record as believing the Corps’ tribal consultation was inadequate. It
is rare for a federal agency to formally criticize the actions of
another federal agency, let alone three.
1)
March 29, 2016 letter from the Dept of Interior to the Corps (agreeing
with the tribe that tribal consultation was inadequate) https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3036070-DOI-MARCH-Letter-to-Corps.html
2) March 11, 2016 letter from EPA to the Corps (agreeing with the tribe that environmental consultation was inadequate) https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3036068-Dakota-Access-2nd-DEA-Cmts-3-11-16-002.html
3)
May 19, 2016 letter from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
to the Corps (agreeing with the tribe that the Corps’ historical
properties analysis and tribal consultation was incomplete and flawed) https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3036069-Ex-32-ACHP-Objection-Letter-DAPL.html And a September 28, 2016 statement by the American Cultural Resources Association. http://www.acra-crm.org/resources/Pictures/ACRADAPLStatement_9_28_2016.pdf
It
is even more rare for the Department of Justice to release joint
statements with the Corps, all of which support the water
protectors/protesters and further review.
– https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/joint-statement-department-justice-department-army-and-department-interior-regarding-standing
– https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/joint-statement-department-justice-department-army-and-department-interior-regarding-dc
The 1851 Fort Laramie Treaty governs the land at issue. http://standingrock.org/fort-laramie-treaty/ More information about the creation of Standing Rock can be found here: http://standingrock.org/history/
And you probably shouldn’t get me started about the long and sordid
complexities and history related to tribal land, treaties, allotments,
and fraud.
HOW TO HELP:
Sacred Stone Camp recently posted the following:
“Dear
allies: we have asked this before, and we will ask it again. Please do
not set up crowdfunding pages to simply bring yourself to Standing Rock
if you are not coordinating with indigenous people on the ground. It is
very very hard to organize on the ground, it is very difficult to gauge
needs, navigate the camps, navigate power dynamics, communicate etc. We
are here, and we have been working hard on this campaign, and we need
your support. We do not need you to come and save us, we need your
prayers and your resources and your actions. Please look around yourself
if you are at camp, and consider the dynamic. Are you creating space
that is dominantly non-indigenous? If so, please consider that this is a
furthering of colonization, and take action to step back, and re-center
indigenous sovereignty. If you have raised funds for yourself, please
find a camp here to donate to: http://sacredstonecamp.org/donate/”
So please, educate yourself, donate, and get updates here: http://sacredstonecamp.org/
Thank you for spotlighting charities this season! I often “gift” donations in the recipient’s name to various charities, and love hearing about new-to-me organizations doing great work.
It’s a great gift!
You know I love this as this is near and dear to my heart! Thank you for spotlighting this organization.
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