CURE
(Compassionate Utilization of REsources)
Overview for 2019
CURE, an all volunteer Arkansas non-profit, with 501(c)(3) qualification from the IRS, is engaged in local and regional benevolent work, collection and shipment of medical surplus (equipment and supplies) to foreign hospitals, clinics and doctors, and regional disaster relief.
CURE continues to strive to be true to its Mission: To actively demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ to everyone (locally, regionally, nationally and internationally). CURE provides volunteers with service opportunities that impact lives, and provides a source to facilitate humanitarian assistance to people within our local and regional communities. CURE remains alert and ready to respond with disaster relief for immediate on-site distribution and aid to tornado and other disaster areas.
Although CURE’s “Legacy” is based upon our Savior/the Son of Man, rather than individual men, we would be remiss not to commemorate/celebrate/honor the passing into God’s glory of Dr. “Bob/The Fish” Fisher this past September. As a result we are reflective – but also encouraged and our faith and trust is strengthened – that CURE continues beyond the lives of 2 of its 3 founders and, as with the prior passing of Jim Pratt, we will miss Fish’s faith and trust in Providence, aid, encouragement and good humor as we steadfastly continue in our attempt to accomplish God’s purposes for CURE, but know that their spirit remains part of that work.
During the year of 2019, CURE traveled 62,603 miles picking up and delivering linen, medical supplies, equipment, clothes & food. The approximate donated value (merely based on $ per pound, rather than ‘true’ value) was over $3 million, being obtained at a fuel cost of approximately $23,406.40. CURE made 77 trips picking up and delivering equipment and medical supplies during 2019 at pickup and delivery points were in Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and, Tennessee. CURE also had to spend approximately $30,000 on vehicle repair & maintenance costs during 2019.
CURE supplied enough medical equipment and supplies to organizations shipping overseas to fill 24 forty-foot (40’) cargo containers this year. CURE helped Operation Ukraine load 12 containers for overseas shipments and CURE supplied4 truckloads of medical supplies to Rotary International in Tulsa, OK. Humanitarian aid, equipment and supplies, continue to be sent to the nations of Haiti, Honduras, Ukraine and Ghana. Lives touched and blessed by God through CURE number in the hundreds of thousands in the 58 different foreign countries on 5 continents that have been served to date.
Additionally, CURE has 35 pallets (734 chairs) and 4 pallets of black (40 mil) plastic ready for delivery through the Little Rock Air Force Base to Haiti and 4 CURE also presently has 22 pallets of medical supplies and equipment ready to be containerized & shipped to Togo, which borders Ghana in West Africa.
CURE provided Disaster Relief and aid during the 2019 Fort Smith regional area flooding to local families, as well as desk chairs, classroom and office furniture to aid the Moffett School District. CURE help regional families by loaning items of durable medical equipment (DME) in 2019 – a total of over items loaned out – to and through local agencies assisting patients being cared for at home who failed to qualify for financial assistance for same. Items provided include wheelchairs, power chairs, walkers, crutches, canes, hoya lifts, hospital beds/mattresses, tub & shower seats and bedside commodes.
Local families who provide foster care were given twin mattresses beds and dressers by CURE.
CURE provided medical equipment and support to the new Arkansas Osteopathic College of Medicine, Fort Smith.
CURE continues to partner with Arkansas School Based Health Centers (SBHC) for which effort CURE has received recognition. CURE has assisted a total of 29 SBHC (mostly in rural communities) since January of 2011. The estimated value of those items is between $350,000-$400,000. Tens of thousands of children in Arkansas have benefited and continue to benefit 0from this partnership.
CURE picked up and delivered 6 loads (approx. 36,000 pounds) of clothes to The Hope Chest and 4 loads (approx. 30,000 pounds) of food were picked up by CURE and donated to the Community Service Clearinghouse, Fort Smith, AR for the WestArk Church of Christ. CURE has also donated food to the Hope Campus. Since its inception, CURE has provided, and continues to provide support and aid to West-Ark’s Inner-City Meal ministry. CURE continues to partner with The Hope Chest, a separate locally based non-profit outreach, including clothing and household goods distribution services. CURE provides goods, transportation, warehousing and logistics assistance to support both ministries.
Please note that there is now an additional way for you to make a difference. When you select CURE as your preferred charity through Amazon Smile Foundation, a percentage of eligible Amazon purchases supports our activities – without increasing your cost!
CURE wants to say THANKS! for your support, work, encouragement and – most of all – for your past and continued prayers. To date, God through CURE has aided the needs of people in 58 other countries worldwide and many thousands of lives locally and regionally. Only the LORD knows the number of lives He’s actually touched through CURE’s activities. May God receive all the Glory, Honor and Praise as we work together to do what God created us for, “Good Works.”
IF NOT US, WHO?
IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
(Luke 10:36 & 37)
For more information contact:
Mat Griffin: Cell 479-883-4096 Ron Hamilton: Cell 479-650-9666
Ron Moreton: Cell 479-461-2898 John Mundy: Cell 479-222-3401
CURE Warehouse @ 2400 Vicksburg: 479-648-3348