During a special presentation on October 20, 2017, at College of the Ozarks, Skaggs Foundation awarded nearly $600,000 to local agencies committed to improving health and wellness throughout Taney and Stone counties, including a $44,000 grant to Fordland Clinic, Inc. This $44,000 grant award will be used for school-based dental services in the Blue Eye and Reeds Spring School Districts.

Tri-lakes Community Health Center, an affiliate of Fordland Clinic located in Kimberling City, runs the school based program. The program serves 900 to 1,200 children in the two Stone County schools. This represents the fourth year of funding for this school-based program. Here are some thoughts on the program from a dental assistant at Tri-Lakes CHC: “Being able to work with these kids at the school is truly a blessing, to them and to our dental staff. There are kids who have never been seen by a dentist before and have no idea how to brush their teeth or even ever heard of flossing. Some of the children are very hesitant and nervous when entering the clinic area, but by the time they are done with their cleanings, they are excited and happy about going to the dentist!”

Skaggs Legacy Endowment is a restricted endowment fund made possible by a generous gift from CoxHealth in 2013. Since that time, Skaggs Foundation has awarded more than $3.5 million to organizations dedicated to improving lives in Stone and Taney counties.

For further information about the 19 grants awarded to local organizations by the Skaggs Foundation, visit the BransonTrilakesNews article. To find out more about the Skaggs Foundation, visit skaggsfoundation.org.