UMRC Foundation Receives $15,000 Grant from Chelsea Community Foundation
April 28, 2020
CHELSEA, MI–The United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC) Foundation is pleased to announce that it has received a $15,000 grant from the Chelsea Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. This grant to the UMRC Foundation will help provide general operating support for this senior living organization with headquarters in Chelsea.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chelsea Community Foundation (CCF) has provided 11 grants totaling $140,000 to local nonprofits, according to senior program officer, Surabhi Pandit. “The CCF Board wanted to proactively address the needs in the community and voted swiftly to make these grants to support vital nonprofit organizations in the Chelsea community.”
“This was such a blessing and a wonderful surprise! We are grateful to receive this gift from the Chelsea Community Foundation to support the healthcare needs of older adults and the brave service of our direct care teammates,” said Wendy Brightman, President of the UMRC Foundation and Porter Hills Foundation. “Their calling leads them toward the danger of this virus in order to provide outstanding care for older adults. They have children who are out of school, spouses who are laid off, older parents who rely on them. Yet, they put aside these burdens to provide love and care for the older adults at UMRC.”
UMRC has acted swiftly to launch several initiatives to assist its frontline team members, including supplemental sick leave and pay, food pantries, babysitting services, and more.
“This generous grant from the Chelsea Community Foundation provides welcome assistance for these efforts in support of UMRC’s frontline Healthcare Heroes,” said Brightman.
Building on a foundation of 114 years of service, United Methodist Retirement Communities is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that promotes the wellness, dignity and independence of older adults, by providing high quality, innovative and compassionate senior residential and supportive services. Celebrating 50 years, the mission of Porter Hills is to be trusted experts serving seniors with grace. Its vision is to be nationally recognized as an unparalleled leader and partner in senior services. In March 2019, UMRC & Porter Hills affiliated, under shared governance and leadership. Together, UMRC & Porter Hills represent the second largest nonprofit senior living organization in Michigan. With a tradition of exceptional quality and a commitment to cutting-edge care, these faith-based organizations and their affiliates combine to serve more than 6,700 older adults each year, from 24 locations and service lines, across 22 counties in Michigan’s lower peninsula.
The UMRC Foundation is the charitable arm for United Methodist Retirement Communities, with headquarters in Chelsea, Michigan. Since its inception in 1998, the UMRC Foundation has provided over $18,500,000 through its Benevolent Care Fund to help UMRC residents remain in their homes when they outlive their resources. The mission of the UMRC Foundation is to promote the wellness, dignity, and independence of seniors by supporting UMRC residents, staff, and the communities UMRC serves.
The Chelsea Community Foundation is a permanent charitable endowment totaling more than $2.5 million created through gifts from generous individuals, families, and businesses who care about Chelsea. The Chelsea Community Foundation has provided more than $1.6 million in grants to nonprofit organizations working to address community needs and opportunities that improve the quality of life in the City of Chelsea and surrounding areas. The Chelsea Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.