Haile Gold Mine joined other local corporate supporters to sponsor last month’s 11th Annual Fall Flurry Clay Shoot – the biggest fundraiser event for Lancaster Children’s Home.
The Lancaster Children’s Home affords a chance for the children to press reset since many have been abandoned, neglected, or abused in some way. State funding and grants provide only a portion of the funds required to operate the facility in a “home-like” way. Community support from companies like Haile helps the agency operate just a little easier for the children and dedicated employees.
“We absolutely love Haile Gold Mine,” said April Joplin, Director of Community Development for Lancaster Children’s Home. “They have been wonderful to us.”
This month, Haile also donated 63lbs of wild boar sausage to stock the facility’s freezer. Wild Boar pose a threat to infrastructure and humans. Haile conducts a trap and kill program to reduce the onsite population when frequent sightings occur. The pigs are processed, and meat is donated in the community wherever a need exists.
Haile also provided items for outdoor activities last summer, which Joplin said was a great treat for the children. The COVID pandemic has limited the agency’s ability to host onsite programs for the children. The need for other activities significantly increased.
“The outdoor activity stuff was wonderful for our kids because it gave them things to keep them occupied outside. You can’t take a troubled teen and make them sit in their bedroom 24/7. That’s a recipe for absolute disaster,” Joplin said.
Community support is perhaps the biggest factor in the success of the facility. Joplin said state support provides little more than enough for “three hots and a cot.”
Considerably more is needed to provide a safe and comfortable environment for the children. For example, many referrals necessitate maintaining counseling services. Some also need glasses, which means trips to appointments.
Part of Joplin’s job is seeking opportunities for more funding. Lancaster Children’s Home relies heavily on grants and fundraising efforts.
There’s plenty of opportunities for you to help out with Christmas right around the corner. You can donate gifts to the children by checking Lancaster Children’s Home Facebook and Instagram pages. The agency frequently updates both outlets with a list of needs.
Christmas wish lists will also be shared on social media.
Joplin said the great thing about support from corporations like Haile is the example it sets for employees.
“We’ve had employees from Haile reach out and ask what they can do. When your employer is setting the example, it encourages the employees to be a philanthropist and want to do the same thing,” she said.
If you would like to support Lancaster Children’s Home, please reach out to them at 803-286-5277 or follow their social media pages for donation information. The agency is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
