Vail Valley Charitable Fund

Background Statement

Now more than ever, Vail Valley locals are being forced to stretch their dollars to address mounting medical expenses while experiencing an increase in the cost of living with limited time and resources. As an organization, we are challenged to more critically examine what may be deemed a medical crisis as it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the growth in demand for services.

This year has brought us more applications than ever before with a wide range of challenging circumstances, some of which included: a young craftsman who suffered a table saw accident, a woman who overdosed and had suicidal ideation, a child with tumors along his spine, and an individual dealing with a reoccurrence of metastatic cancer. We are proud to report that so far this year we have distributed $280,613 to 72 direct aid grant recipients in need. We are grateful to have been able to step in and help these individuals and families during their darkest hours.

TESTIMONIALS

"I want to thank Vail Valley Charitable Fund for the help they provided to my son for his eye surgery. My son Carlos was diagnosed with Keratoconus, an eye disease that affects the structure of the cornea resulting in loss of vision. This condition is painful due to the severity of light sensitivity and causes blurred vision – and without this surgery, little by little, he would have lost his sight. Without the help of the Vail Valley Charitable Fund, this surgery wouldn't have been possible. We are grateful." ~ Heidy Ponce, VVCF Grant Recipient

"The latest turn in events arrived last August when I was diagnosed with hemiplegic migraines, which are migraines accompanied by stroke symptoms. This has left me unable to work or function on a daily basis, and financially floundering. This is when the Vail Valley Charitable Fund stepped in to help. They supported my medical and living expenses so that I could find a way to recover and survive here in the valley." ~ Jessica Barton, VVCF Grant Recipient

"A good friend of mine who was diagnosed with breast cancer the year before suggested I reach out to the Vail Valley Charitable Fund for assistance. With tears in my eyes, I filled out the application, thinking “there are people much worse off than me” and “I’ll never be approved.” But I will never forget that call. The VVCF provided assistance in my time of need. It was an enormous stress relief to receive their generous grant. What a significant emotional weight lifted to know I might be able to get through this and not drown in debt. Since then, I have found the support of our community to be overwhelming as every organization and individual are ready to help in the emotional, physical and mental arenas. This has been a real blessing to my family and me." ~ Jessica Friedenberg, VVCF Grant Recipient

"I found out that I had a rare cancer in my thyroid. The community and our health care system stepped in to support us right away. Our friends and family made care packages, wrote empowering letters and came by to help when I couldn't take care of things. The Vail Valley Charitable Fund was no different. When we reached out to them for assistance, they too were right by our side. The relief that was felt from myself and my husband was overwhelming. The moment I got the call that they were supporting us through a direct aid grant, tears of happiness and poured out of me. I have never felt so cared for by so many and even from those who didn't even know me. A huge thank you to the VVCF for providing the financial relief I needed so that I could focus on healing." ~ Giselle Wales, VVCF Grant Recipient

"Since 1996, dozens of my patients have received aid from the VVCF. The fund has supported everything from a small child’s heart surgery to an elderly patient’s end of life care. I have attended creative fundraising events for friends and participated in VVCF sponsored triathlons. Hundreds of my clinic’s pediatric patients have received dental care through the fund’s Eagle County Smiles program. And more recently, my patients have received welcomed emotional support from the fund’s Vail Breast Cancer Group. As a physician and friend, I have witnessed the remarkable work of the Vail Valley Charitable Fund through the years. Their mantra is, “It’s all about heart!” Indeed, the VVCF truly has a heart for the medical needs of your friends and neighbors in our valley and is worthy of your support. I encourage you to join my wife, Martha, and me with an annual gift to the VVCF." ~ Kent Petrie, MD, VVCF Donor

"Like many locals, we work hard and give so much of our hearts to our family and to our community. I am moved to tears that the Vail Valley Charitable Fund recognizes our family’s gifts to our communities and understands that, even so, we still need help. I am inspired and filled with hope that our family, from grandparents to granddaughters, will continue to thrive here in this valley. Thank you, VVCF." ~ Rebecca Kanaly, VVCF Grant Recipient