Appalachia . As a philanthropic leader , TGKVF collaborates with donors , nonprofits and partners to strengthen the community , ensuring everyone in the areas it serves has the opportunity to thrive .
The foundation manages over $ 300 million , with some funds being donor-directed and others directed by volunteers and staff — discretionary and scholarship . Discretionary funds support nonprofit programs in Boone , Clay , Fayette , Kanawha , Lincoln and Putnam counties , focusing on health , education , community economic development , basic needs and arts and culture .
Thanks to an anonymous donor , TGKVF has offered dental health grants since 2017 . This funding allows TGKVF to provide direct dental care services to under- or uninsured children and adults in the six counties the foundation serves .
“ I would like to take this opportunity to thank the grant funder and selection committee for making this possible . Our awarded grant dollars have made a positive impact on the oral health of uninsured Fayette County residents that otherwise could not afford care ,” says the anonymous grantee . “ Improving oral health and saving teeth is a mission that , with your help , we ’ ve been able to fulfill . Our patients are thankful to have an opportunity to save their teeth rather than extract them .”
This grantee has seen several patients who were missing most of their teeth and the ones remaining were badly decayed with no hope of saving them . Without back teeth , they were unable to chew food and lived on a soft food diet .
“ With the grant funding and use of our sliding scale , we have extracted the decayed teeth and made high-quality top or bottom dentures with a $ 35 fee to our patients ,” the grantee says .
For both top and bottom dentures , x-rays , exams and extractions , the cost to the patient is $ 300 with the sliding scale and $ 750 dollars of grant funding . The full price with just six extractions would be $ 2,992 , which is a $ 2,692 in savings .
“ I honestly cannot put the patients ’ reactions into words , but their tears flow with happiness and gratitude ,” the grantee says . “ Some were happy to be out of pain , and some were excited at the thought of being able to eat again . This is what community health is all about . Thank you for making this possible .”
TGKVF has invested over $ 3 million through a diverse range of dental grants benefiting various organizations and communities . Through these grants , West Virginia Health Right delivers dental services in Boone and Clay counties and at its Charleston clinic by utilizing its mobile unit ; New River Health , in Fayette County , purchased schoolbased dental care equipment and supports veterans and clients in recovery ; Rea of Hope , Kanawha Valley Fellowship Home , FamilyCare Health Centers and the West Virginia Oral Health Coalition address clients ’ high oral health needs in recovery ; West Virginia Hemophilia Foundation collaborates with dentists treating patients with bleeding disorders ; Kanawha County Dental Health Council provides dental treatment for Kanawha County students without a private dentist ; and CAMC Cancer Center offers dental treatment to patients needing care before being cleared for cancer treatments . •
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Last year , our small and dedicated team provided 155 consulting hours , at no cost , assisting 30 different manufacturers on 41 specialized projects .
Through our unwavering commitment to outreach and education , we continue to support the growth of West Virginia .
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