Helping those who help others

An Evening of Giving will benefit multiple nonprofit organizations that help people.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

CANFIELD — There are cancer patients in the community who need to get to a hospital or clinic for treatments. The medical side is covered but they’re having trouble meeting basic living expenses and putting gas in their cars because of soaring prices.

Nonprofit organizations meet such needs in many ways. Area residents can pitch in by attending An Evening of Giving planned from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday at Southern Park Mall in Boardman. The fundraiser will benefit nearly 60 nonprofit organizations targeting a variety of needs.

For example, the Silver Lining Foundation has helped area cancer patients with everyday expenses for 33 years. It, like many other groups, has been on a mission without much fanfare. The foundation was “kinda under the radar,” said Brenda Rider of Austintown, one of 12 board members. “It was more word of mouth how people learned about us,” she said, noting that oncology nurses would tell cancer patients how the foundation offered monetary assistance.

But the spotlight will be on the nonprofits during the Evening of Giving, which also will benefit the Simon Youth Program based at the mall. It helps wayward young people get their GEDs.

Tickets, which are $10, may be obtained from participating groups or at the door the night of the event. Nonprofit organizations will pay $3 for each ticket, and that money will go to the Simon Youth Program. Nonprofit organizations will keep $7 of each ticket they sell for their own funds, said Rider. Those who buy tickets will have access to special sales at doors and there will be entertainment by ROCcK children’s choir.

Rider is founder of A Way With Words Foundation, the umbrella organization over the choir, which she directs. ROCcK, Raising Our Commitment to Cancer Kids, is a group of young people who are cancer survivors, their siblings and friends. Rider is a breast cancer survivor.

Rider said Silver Lining Foundation originated with Dr. Lawrence Pass, an oncologist with Youngstown Hospital Association. He retired in 1998 and now lives in Arizona.

There are stories about Dr. Pass — “his ‘donation on demand’ approach,” in a good way, mostly to hospital staff, Rider said. “But he saw the great need of people. At first, those donations covered the need, she said. Eventually the need got beyond him and he started the Silver Lining Foundation.

“He used a spin on the idea of, there’s a silver lining even in bad things that happen,” Rider said. “Cancer is a horrible thing that happens to people. And 30 years ago it was bad. But Dr. Pass saw a glimmer of hope. ... Even though he couldn’t heal everyone, he could help in some way.”

Rider said the foundation takes applications from cancer patients who need help paying bills. It disburses funds in increments of $150 monthly to each person requesting assistance. People need financial help to pay mortgages and utility bills and buy food, Rider said. “Two nurses on the board go over the applications and assess the need,” she said. Dr. Christopher Knight of the Hope Center in Boardman is the physician on the board. The foundation involves health-care professionals and volunteers.

“Our biggest need right now is people needing gas money to get to and from hospitals for treatments, which are often daily, and doctor’s appointments,” Rider said.

The foundation’s funds have mostly come from bequests from estates. In 2005, the foundation held a successful wine and beer taste. “But we’re down to $18,000 in the bank. And we distribute between $5,000 and $6,000 each month,” Rider said.

For more information, call (330) 702-0550.