Hello one and all.  Thought this would be a good time to reflect on how much we have been able to accomplish due to the generosity of all of you.  At the time of Heather’s death, her friends, family and co-workers donated nearly $20,000 to fund the start of her Foundation.  The Foundation has now been approved as an official Public Charity under the IRC Section 509(a)(2), which allows any contributions to be taken as an IRS write off, either personally or company wise. 

Thanks to the foresight and determination of Todd Krass, CEO of the HCA Belton Regional Medical Center, where Heather worked as their Chief Nursing Officer, our first fundraiser was created.  It was an annual golf tournament in Heather’s honor.  It was a huge success, thanks primarily to the sponsorships from all HCA hospitals in the Kansas City area, the Area Division headquarters, and to all of the wonderful participants who came out to enjoy the golf and to bid on auction items.  We also had many Tee Sponsors and private donors who gave of their time and money.  With that support the Foundation raised over $33,000. 

The Foundation was created to sponsor Nursing Scholarships for aspiring nurses.  Its board of directors had initially hoped to have five (5) scholarships for our local Odessa High School, thereby creating a legacy for Heather in her hometown.  With the success noted above, I am pleased to announce that the Foundation saw fit to award fourteen (14) $1.000 scholarships in its initial funding.  Six (6) were directed to Odessa high school graduates, four (4) were directed to the William Jewell College Nursing Program students, some of which are pursuing their degrees through the same Accelerated Nursing program Heather utilized some 15 years ago.  Three (3) were issued to students at the University of Central Missouri (UCM), where they have an outstanding Nursing program.  All 3 of these students were graduates of Odessa high school.  Our last award went to an individual who wanted to train for becoming a nurse and who had had the opportunity to work with Heather at an HCA hospital.  All 14 scholarship winners will make Heather proud!

We also have some exciting news, again an anonymous donor has offered to match up to $10,000 in donations through the end of 2021 for any person or business that would like to continue to fund the Foundation’s cause.  The Foundation is again incredibly grateful to all who have made Heather’s legacy grow as we all go forward together, always remembering the many incredible qualities that Heather offered to one and all that she encountered in her life and death.

To see more on Heather’s Foundation, I refer you to “heatherjpalmer.com”.