Posts Tagged ‘Daily Needs Assistance program’

Tamara Reed, the acting director of DNA, Daily Needs Assistance, recently spoke with the Plain City Lions Club about what services the group offers within the Plain City community. Joe was so impressed by the presentation that he thought we should let everyone else know about DNA through our blog.

DNA has a nice brochure and set of handouts, which Tamara gave out to the Lions members. They also have an updated web site that provides information for volunteers and those needing assistance. With these tools, they are working to spread the word about their organization to recruit volunteers and find those needing their help.

According to their brochure, DNA consists of “area churches, businesses, organizations, and individuals” who work together to “be the hands and feet of Jesus” in the Plain City community.

DNA works within Madison and Union Counties to provide personal need items, as well as gently used clothing and shoes via their “Kid’s Kloset Free Store,” to those who need help and hope in their lives. They also serve a monthly Community Meal, a weekly pancake breakfast, and offer tax preparation assistance.

The monthly Community Meal serves approximately 97 families or 400+ people each month. Doors for the community meal open at 5 pm on the last Saturday of the month. At this time, items can be picked up from the personal needs pantry. The weekly pancake breakfast starts at 8 am each Saturday morning and lasts until 10:30 am. Volunteers are needed to help in many different venues at these events.

DNA welcomes anyone needing assistance. They do ask for a photo ID for demographic tracking purposes, but no one is ever turned away.

As a 501(c)3 charitable organization, DNA relies solely on donations of cash, goods, and services from the community to take care of those who need assistance. A donation of $27 will help support the needs of one family for a month. Consider sponsoring a family with a money order or check made out to Daily Needs Assistance. You can also donate through their web site with a credit card by going HERE.

Additionally, you can donate by dropping off items at their Community Center in the old Plain City Elementary School, 340 West Main Street, Plain City, OH 43064. Donations can also be mailed to this address.

With tax season upon us, people needing help with tax preparation can schedule an appointment with one of DNA’s Ohio Benefit Bank Tax Counselors by calling 614-824-8340 OR 614-564-7365. This service is for families in need only.

Items donated in the personal care pantry include:

• Liquid Landry Detergent
• Baby Diapers size newborn to size 5
• Tampax tampons
• Maxi pads
• Paper towels, individually wrapped
• Toilet paper, individually wrapped
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Disposable razors
• Deodorant for men
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Shaving Cream
• Bar Soap, individually wrapped
• Dryer Sheets
• Kleenex
• Trash bags
• Dish Soap
• Infant Formula
• Depends Adult Undergarments, Small to XL

To find out more, visit the DNA web site HERE.

Like them on Facebook HERE.

You can contact DNA by calling 614-824-8340 or by emailing info@dnaplaincity.com

Parker Scott Headings was born on September 24, 2001, a bit ahead of schedule. At just about 6 months or twenty-five weeks into the pregnancy, his mother, Beverly, delivered the little boy, who weighed only two pounds. He was not expected to live through the next few days, but Parker surprised everyone and did just that.

Parker suffered brain hemorrhages when he was only forty-eight hours old, which caused hardening of the ventricles that disperse spinal fluid throughout the brain. At a month, he had to have surgery on his brain to release the built up pressure from the accumulated spinal fluid, which could not flow normally. At fifteen months, Parker was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. His mother was told that he would be a quadric spastic–meaning he would never walk, but would need a wheelchair the rest of his life.

Through the next few years, Parker survived infections and numerous surgeries on the shunt that relieves pressure in his brain. Each time a surgery was done to correct the shunt, Parker’s head had to be opened, requiring very invasive and dangerous procedures. Additionally, he has been in a body cast after surgery to put his hip back in its socket. Only just ten years old, Parker and his family have continued to fight to give him every chance in the world.

Now Parker’s family would like to take him to the Ability Camp in Canada which provides conductive education and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The treatment is a five week program that would help Parker retrain his muscles to have better control and hopefully allow him to walk for the first time in his short life. Additionally, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber would help heal the parts of his brain that have been damaged. These two therapies are not covered by insurance and the total cost is $10,000 (not counting the expenses of traveling to the facility and other costs incurred with the trip).

To read Parker’s full story, please go the web site for The Parker Headings Foundation HERE.

To help raise money for Parker’s medical expenses, the Annual Joe “Hug” James Memorial Poker Run will be held on Saturday, May 12. To make the flyer in the right corner larger, click on it. You can then print it out.

The Poker Run will begin with registration at A. D. Farrow Harley Davidson in Sunbury, Ohio at 9 am. Registration is $20 per person and includes the ride, hog roast, and admission to hear all five bands play at Lee’s Sports and Spirits in Plain City. The first bikes will head to Final Score in Delaware at 10 am. The final bikes will leave at noon. There are six stops on the run, which will end at Lee’s. If you are not taking part in the poker run, the cost is $10 per person or $15 per couple for food and to hear the bands. There will also be a benefit auction, raffles, and a corn hole tournament.

The five bands playing will include Iron Horse, Karma 10, The Charlie Tatman Band, Planet 9, and Tritster Renegade Band. There will also be a special pre-poker run party on Friday, May 11 at Lee’s featuring Iron Horse and The Charlie Tatman Band.

If you can’t take part in the Poker Run, you can also donate online by clicking on the “How you can help” link on the right side of The Parker Headings Foundation web site. The Vineyard Church of Plain City is accepting donations for Parker through their Daily Needs Assistance (DNA) program. All donations are tax deductible as the Vineyard is a non-profit organization. Check or money order donations can be made out to DNA Community Medical Assistance Fund (put Parker Headings in the memo line) and send to: Daily Needs Assistance, 224 Gay Street, Plain City, Ohio 43064.

Please help the Headings family and Parker by attending the Poker Run or by sending a donation. A special little boy is counting on YOU!