The Wheels of Wellness program is pleased to announce receipt of a generous contribution of $1,000 from the Alabama Beverage Association.
The donation is in honor of past-president Dale Ash who, along with her siblings, owns the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Atmore (pictured)
BREWTON, AL - The Wheels of Wellness program is pleased to announce receipt of a generous contribution of $1,000 from the Alabama Beverage Association. The donation is in honor of past-president Dale Ash who, along with her siblings, owns the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Atmore, which services Escambia, Conecuh, Monroe and the northern Baldwin counties. The Alabama Beverage Association is the trade association for Alabama's refreshing, non-alcoholic beverage industry, serving the public and its members since 1918.
As a way to honor the service of an outgoing president, the Alabama Beverage Association awards a monetary contribution to the outgoing president's charity of choice. Mrs. Ash thoughtfully selected the Wheels of Wellness program in Escambia County as the recipient of the award. According to ABA Executive Director Virginia Banister, "This contribution is symbolic of Dale Ash's dedication and commitment to the community of Escambia County where she has been well-rooted for most of her life. Dale is very passionate about this part of Alabama where she lives, works and serves."
The Wheels of Wellness program provides transportation services for healthcare appointments and treatments of pediatric patients and expected mothers without other means of transportation. These transportation services are offered for both local healthcare appointments as well as healthcare appoints at larger medical facilities for medical treatments not available in Escambia County.¬
When asked why she chose the Wheels of Wellness as her benefiting charity, Ash stated, "Any way we can improve the quality of life in our communities we are excited to partner with organizations that can help. The Wheels of Wellness is a remarkable program, and we hope that contributions like ours will encourage others to give and keep this essential program alive."
The Wheels of Wellness program started as a way to transport children safely to health care services not available in the local area and later expanded to include transportation for expected mothers. The Coalition for a Healthier Escambia County, The Escambia County Healthcare Authority and various other community organizations collaborated to start the program in October of 2006.
The funds according to Chris Griffin, D.W. McMillan Hospital Administrator will be used specifically for transportation of patients. He stated that, "Since October 2006, The Wheels of Wellness has provided more than 1,500 trips, which total over 175,000 miles traveled."
The program operates on an average monthly operating budget of about $2,500, or $30,000 annually. That is why a donation of Ash's proportion is much appreciated to the program.
"We were very thankful Dale chose the Wheels of Wellness for her charitable contribution," said Ruth Harrell, Chairman of both the Healthcare Authority and the Coalition for a Healthier Escambia County. "I know the funds will be used to supply a great need in our communities."
The Wheels of Wellness program is constantly looking for financial support and anyone who has interest in supporting it can make a financial contribution as follows:
Wheels of Wellness
C/O Escambia County Healthcare Authority
PO Box 908
Brewton, AL 36427.
