Atrium Health Navicent’s employee giving program, Healthcare Employees Achieving Tomorrow (H.E.A.T.) recently awarded 23 grants to healthcare charities and programs totaling $189,000.

The grant funds directly impact central Georgia communities though the provision of scholarships, food and literacy supplies for children, mental health prescription assistance, wheelchair ramps, cancer survivorship services, healthcare support, dental care and more.

“Atrium Health Navicent employees know the tremendous work we do each day to touch, change and save lives.  Their participation in H.E.A.T. is an extension of this great work and allows us to support other organizations in the central Georgia area working to improve the health of our communities,” said Navicent Health Foundation CEO Ellen Johnson.

Community organizations awarded grants include:

• American Red Cross

• Backpack Ministry Forest Hills United Methodist Church

• Depaul USA, Inc.

• Family Advancement Ministries

• Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia, Inc

• The Mentors Project of Bibb County, Inc

• Joshua’s Wish, Inc

• Loaves and Fishes Ministry of Macon, inc.

• Macon Volunteer Clinic, Inc

• Rebuilding Macon, Inc

• Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia

• River Edge Foundation, Inc.

• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Georgia

• The Society of St. Andrew, INC.

• United in Pink, Inc.

• Wesley Glen Ministries, Inc.

“On behalf of the United in Pink family, we are so grateful for the generous support from the H.E.A.T. program and each employee who has contributed,” said Laura Paxton, co-founder and executive director of United in Pink Inc., which received a grant to support cancer survivorship services. “Your giving enables us to provide physical and financial assistance programs to improve the quality of life for both male and female breast cancer patients, survivors, and their families in our local community. Thank you for extending hope and support, and for helping promote healthier families with greater access to community resources.” 

H.E.A.T. was founded in 1992 by health system employees with a goal of funding projects and campaigns both within the healthcare system and in the community. More than half of Atrium Health Navicent’s employees participate in the giving program.

Since inception, more than $9 million has been raised and distributed to healthcare charities and programs.