Contributions

Created in 1978 by Mary and Curran Higgins, the Michelle Higgins Memorial Fund was dedicated to the memory of their daughter Michelle, who was killed in an auto accident in 1978. Mary, Spokane Mental Health’s Executive Director at the time, helped SMH evolve into one of the largest and most comprehensive mental health centers in the Northwest.

The Fund was officially made a legal Endowment in 1991 but has received donations since 1978. Donations to Spokane Mental Health of $500 or less which are undesignated are placed into this fund.

The Fund is used for items that would not ordinarily be purchased with regular allotted monies. Funds have been used for many purposes including:

• to buy mittens, hats and coats for consumers one winter.

• to keep the Evergreen Club open when the budget was cut.

• to buy artwork to make the public hallways more inviting.

• to purchase consumer recreation equipment.

For more information, call (509) 458-7453.

Most of us take our independence for granted, for instance to make a routine trip to the doctor’s office. But there are many older adults in Spokane County who are unable to drive a car or use public transportation. Often friends or relatives work during the day or live out of the area, and are unable to assist with transportation. There are many elders in our community who are alone with no one to help them access essential services.

Care Cars for Elders began in 1984 in response to the need for one-on-one escorted transportation to essential services for people 60 and older in Spokane who are disabled or impaired. Donations made to this program are used to fund Care Cars activities such as volunteer training, and mileage reimbursement.

For more information, call (509) 458-7450.

First Call For Help is a component of Spokane Mental Health’s Crisis Response Services. Trained volunteers, under supervision of the Spokane Mental Health professional staff, provide telephone crisis intervention, information, assistance, referral, supportive listening and refer individuals to services and to other community agencies. First Call For Help also serves as the first level of response for all calls occurring after Spokane Mental Health regular hours of operation.

Donations made to First Call For Help are used to fund such activities as volunteer training, emergency coverage of shifts, resource updating, and volunteer retention. For more information, call (509) 838-4651.