HARRISON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Go out and do good. That is the mantra of the James A. and Martha R. Brown Charitable Foundation, Inc.
"Mr. Brown was quite community-oriented and didn't want to put limitations on what we could do with the money," said foundation trustee Ed Culbertson.
So, in the face of a pandemic, where else better to channel that good than toward healthcare workers?
"To try to improve the lives of the people who are basically taking care of all of us, it just seemed like there was no better project," Culbertson said.
Back in March, Harrison Memorial Hospital (HMH) became ground zero for COVID-19 in Kentucky. CEO Sheila Currans said the year has been unimaginable for the small, rural hospital.
"I've been so proud of the people. We have struggled with PPE early, we struggled with COVID testing equipment early, we got all those issues resolved. Our employees have embraced us and done whatever was asked of them," Currans said.
On Tuesday though, the hospital got a little thanks. Since 1983, HMH has provided on-site childcare, but now, with a $1.5 million donation from the Brown Foundation, it is building a bigger, better facility. The new facility, slated to open in the fall of 2021, will double the number of children they can serve.
"Employees feel so much better when they come to work and work long hours, especially this year," Currans said. "They know their children are becoming kindergarten ready, they're getting love and compassion and good care."
