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Meals on Wheels receives donation
June 29, 2008 Courtesy: Northwest Arkansas Times

Susan Chase with the Chase Family Foundation made a $3,000 donation to Springdale Meals on Wheels on May 30. Lori Proud accepted the check on behalf of the organization. The Chase Family Foundation is newly organized in Northwest Arkansas to provide assistance to the needy in the area.

Meals on Wheels provides nourishing meals to homes of the elderly, disabled and home-bound people who can no longer shop or prepare food for themselves. Two meals, one hot and one cold, are delivered Monday through Friday.

Meals on Wheels teams up with Corvette club
July 25, 2008Courtesy: KFSM

SPRINGDALE - It's a fundraiser of antique cars, that's hoping to make a way for struggling Meals On Wheels organizations to keep going in tight economic times.

With rising gas and food costs, area meals On Wheels programs are hurting for funds. In response, Hawg Country Corvettes, Frank Fletcher Chevrolet in Springdale, and The Chase Family Foundation are teaming up, hosting a car show they hope "starts the engines" again, for meals on wheels.

Officials like Farmington Meals On Wheels volunteer Joseph Batile say as gas and food costs go up, they have to keep cutting down on the meals they serve. "It's put an added strain on the system that was already backed up to begin with. In February we had 33 that were recipients. As of today, we only have 19."

But many say it's an essential program that saves lives, and not just through the hot food they deliver. Batile remembers an experience he had, delivering food earlier this year. "We had a lady that had fallen out of her wheelchair, several hours earlier. If we hadn't come when we did, it could have been very serious. She would not have had any human contact all day."

John Bakker is the President of the Hawg Country Corvette Club, and one Meals On Wheels memory stands out in his mind. "My fiance's aunt was found unconscious about eight weeks ago, on the floor, and if it had not been for the guy bringing her her lunch that day, she probably would have passed away."

Bakker's fiance, Susan Chase, begins to tear up, remembering how her aunt, Maxine Erhart, was rescued. "She just passed out, and the guy that was coming in, he just dropped the food and ran over, and caught her before she fell; and she was unconscious for a while."

It's stories like these spurring several Northwest Arkansans like Kelly Ashworth of Hawg Country Corvettes to a mission: raise funds for a program they say feeds bellies, and saves lives. Ashworth says, "I just feel like all of us that's in the corvette clubs are real fortunate to own a car like this, and we need to return back to the community."

Chase says, she agrees. "There are so many people that can't afford to even eat. It's just a wonderful thing, that people give up their time. Sorry! I get emotional!"

Meals On Wheels organizers say those contributions are quickly becoming the backbone of their programs. To help close the door on Meals On Wheels cutbacks, a corvette car show will be held at Fletcher Chevrolet in Springdale, on Saturday, from 9 to 2 p.m.

Officials say 100% of the money raised will go directly to keep the meals coming to those older citizens in Northwest Arkansas, especially in Farmington.

There is a suggested donation of $10.00 to enter Saturday's car show, but any amount is accepted. Officials say food will be served free, through the day, and anyone is welcome to come enjoy the "motors and chrome" on display.

The Spirit of the Season: Helping those in need
November 27, 2008 Courtesy: Arkansas Democrat Gazette/Freeman Foundation

Susan Chase believes that all her blessings come from God, so she didn't think twice when asked to give to Ozark Center for Autism. To Susan this gift was not an obligation, but a way of giving back -- a privilege. Susan's parents, Rex and Glada Chase, always taught her to reach out and help others. She chose to honor their memory by funding scholarships so three children with autism could get life-changing treatment, Susan recently established the Chase Foundation to carry on her parents' tradition of helping others. She invites you to join her in leaving your own legacy of love.

When Susan visited Ozark Center for Autism, the children, some of whom had never before responded to strangers, warmed up to her instantly. They interacted with her. They blew bubbles with her. They were drawn to her as if they knew what she'd done for them.

Susan's gift forever changed three families dealing with autism. But Susan says the gift changed her, that she was blessed because she gave.

During this holiday season, Freeman Foundation expresses deep gratitude to the hundreds of generous individuals, families, and business who have donated to Freeman. Thank you for sharing your blessings, especially during this time of economic uncertainty. Now, more than ever, your contributions make a profound difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors.

To learn more about Freeman philanthropy or make a donation contact Terri Heckmaster, Freeman Foundation Executive Director, at 417.347.4652; Mandee Schmelzer, Planned Giving Officer, at 417.347.6657; or Cindy Marlow-Sweet, Benefactor Specialist - Development Representative, at 417.347.6658.

Chili Spooned Up At KW Office
October 18, 2009 Courtesy: Arkansas Democrat Gazette/Tom Scantlin

FAYETTEVILLE -- The 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off and Silent Auction was held on Monday, October 12th at the Keller Williams realty office in Fayetteville. 10 cooks put on their best aprons and stirred up a batch of their "winning" chili recipe to benefit Meals on Wheels and the Keller Williams C.A.R.E.S. program. Over 75 silent auction items were up for sale, as was the grand prize, a Limited Edition Water Color, donated by Jeanne Bonine.

Judging the chili this year were a quartet of local chili eaters including: Rick Katzfey, Janet Braden, Steve Clark, and Susan Chase (the 2008 winner). Taking first place honors was Kevin Pendergraft, coming second was Nancy Gho, in the third position was Ryan Hill, and collecting top honors in the People's Choice voting was Monica Wakefield. In the raffle for the Water Color print, Kelli Jo Franks name was drawn from the hopper.

Over $3000 was raised for the pair of charities during the events which ran from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., but with the outstanding chili that was offered, guests were licking the spoons until [shortly] after 7:30. Pat Suttle, one of the organizers of the event noted "we were busy from just before the time the judges were done until nearly the end, it was a great turnout that helped us surpass our 2008 donation to these charities". Nancy Gho and Terrie Foster from Tulsa, OK, owners of the Keller Williams Fayetteville location, were on hand for the evening; as noted, Gho came in second with her chili entry.

Chase Family Foundation Continues Good Works
February 25, 2010 Courtesy: Press Release/Sherri Brown, Hillcrest Towers Community Center

The Chase Family Foundation continues to reach out to the 120 residents of Hillcrest Towers, low incomes apartment complex, even after generously blessing each resident at Christmas.

Since January 1, 2010, The Chase Family Foundation has given some residents, who had nothing but the floor to sleep on, beds, new linens, comforters and pillows. They have also made sure residents had other comforts of home like, lamps, chairs, desks, dishes and cookware.

Hillcrest Towers has a food pantry on its premises. The Chase Family Foundation makes donations of food and toiletries to that as well. They are trying to make sure no one goes hungry or goes without basic things in life.

Much thanks to The Chase Family Foundation for all their generous effort and support that keeps giving.

To become a part of this effort contact Susan Chase or Johnny Bakker at: Chase Family Foundation, P. O. Box 288, Springdale, AR 72765, 479-601-4800, chasefamilyfoundation.com.

Chase Family Foundation Donates to Seven Hills
March 29, 2010 Courtesy: Press Release/Jon Woodward, Seven Hills Homeless Shelter

Seven Hills Homeless Center in Fayetteville received $1,000 from the Chase Family Foundation to fund operations to end homelessness in Northwest Arkansas. The Chase Family Foundation was started in early 2008 by Susan Chase in honor of her parents Rex and Glada Chase. The foundation’s purpose is to help individuals and organizations get critically needed financial support and volunteer participation.

Seven Hills has three service lines, the Walker Family Residential Community, the FICASSO Project, and the Day Center. The Seven Hills Day Center is located at 1555 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Seven Hills and was established in 2000 to help homeless people get the support they need to become self sufficient. The day center offers men, women, and children a place to get the resources they need to get jobs, housing, as well as food, showers, clothes, internet and telephone access and many other things most of us take for granted. Most progress toward ending homelessness is accomplished during the day. To learn more about Seven Hills Homeless Center, go to www.sevenhillscenter.org.

For more information on the Chase Family Foundation contact John Bakker at 479-601-4800, gifts can be sent to P.O. Box 288, Springdale, Arkansas 72764.