Families impacted by farm accidents in County Laois, Ireland, have received recognition for their support through Embrace FARM. The organization, founded in 2014 by Brian and Norma Rohan, has been nominated as a national finalist in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2024. Embrace FARM provides assistance to farm families affected by serious injury and sudden death. They recently held their annual Remembrance Service on June 30, where they honored and remembered loved ones from farm families across Ireland who have died suddenly or suffered serious injury. In addition to the nomination, Embrace FARM has also received the RTE Toy Show Appeal grant. The winners of the National Lottery Good Causes Awards will be announced on October 12. [55790988]
In South Australia, the Malinauskas Labor Government has provided a funding boost of $800,000 over four years to the Red Tree Foundation, an initiative of SIDS and Kids SA. This funding will allow the organization to expand its grief counseling services for families who have experienced the sudden and unexpected death of a child. Previously, the age limit for support was 6 years old, but with the additional funding, the organization can now offer support to families with children aged up to 17 years old. The Red Tree Foundation provided 2099 counseling sessions in 2023, a 73% increase from the previous year. The funding also enables the organization to provide support to wider family units and offer education, training, and information about grief and loss. Referrals primarily come from SA Health hospitals, but families can also self-refer or be guided to the service through other organizations. The expanded services have received a positive response, and the additional funding ensures that support is always available for those who seek it. [8de3c215]
A fundraiser was stopped short for the Lowery family in Murrayville after tragic events at the Jacksonville Speedway. Their 2-year old son Reese has been diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and is recovering from a recent stroke. Local racers were planning to pass the helmet to help the family, but it was cut short. LifeStar Ambulance donated $350, while Kitselman Racing and Evan Turner Racing provided $100 each. The family has an active GoFundMe that has raised over $36,000. Local realtor Dominic Casey is supporting a gun raffle to benefit the family. The Lowerys are active members of the Murrayville community and Taylor works at Murrayville-Woodson Elementary School. Reese has left intensive care and is responding well to chemotherapy. A benefit for the family may be planned in the future. For now, donations can be made through the GoFundMe link. [70503507]
Youth and family support services in Galway, Ireland, have also received a funding boost. Youth Work Ireland in Galway will receive €20,000, Gort Family Resource Centre will receive €17,000, No. 4 Youth Services in Galway city will receive €10,000, and Loughrea Family and Community Resource Centre will receive €2,500. The funding aims to increase accessibility and availability of counseling, psychotherapy, and other therapy services in the area. This funding will greatly benefit the youth and families in Galway, providing them with the necessary support and resources for their well-being. [c3980541]
A number of families gathered at Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Berlin to raise money for veterans in need. The Ahern family organized the 4th annual swim-a-thon fundraiser for Scoops for Troops, an organization started by Kara Ahern's brother Michael in 2019. The funds raised benefit the Travis Mills Foundation Retreat in Maine, which supports post-9/11 veterans who were wounded during their service. Since 2019, Scoops for Troops has raised over $100,000 and has helped 16 veterans and their families attend the retreat. The Ahern family will also be hosting a charity golf tournament on August 15 with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. [0a363eab]