Martha’s Vineyard Community Notes

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Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is among the greenest

Becker’s Hospital Review, a monthly trade journal that features up-to-date business and legal news and analysis relating to hospitals and health systems, named Martha’s Vineyard Hospital to its list of the 50 greenest hospitals in America.

To develop this list, the Becker team researched and analyzed sustainability information from sources such as Health Care Without Harm, Practice Greenhealth, Healthier Hospitals Initiative, the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, the EPA, and other health care sustainability organizations and experts, according to Becker.

Becker said of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital: In 2011, the facility received LEED Gold certification — the only acute-care facility in Massachusetts to achieve that high of a certification. MVH, an affiliate of Boston-based Partners HealthCare, incorporated many green features into its design, such as bio-retention areas for water runoff, computer-monitored energy performance, and 200 energy-producing solar panels. MVH also actively promotes the Planetree model of care, which centers on patient-centered elements like natural light and healing gardens.

Farm Neck Foundation grants offered

The Farm Neck Foundation has issued a call for applicants for the Foundation’s 2013 grants. Eligible are all Island nonprofit organizations whose goal is to improve the quality of life in the Martha’s Vineyard community, according to a press release.

The Farm Neck Foundation, Inc. is a charitable organization created in 1989 and funded by contributions from the membership and supporters of Farm Neck Golf Club. The aim of the foundation is to provide charitable assistance to the Island community in the form of donations and grants to civic-minded organizations in need of funding. Each year the Foundation’s Board of Directors requests submissions from all Vineyard nonprofit organizations in need of help to fund their unique projects or programs. Traditionally, the Board does not award grants two years in a row to the same organization. The Foundation gives special consideration to innovative approaches to problems or needs that cannot get funding through traditional sources.

Island nonprofit organizations are invited to submit a concise proposal describing their specific project, its potential benefits, budgetary requirements and grant amount requested along with two letters of support from sources outside of the organization. Proposals must be received by November 1 and may be sent to: Farm Neck Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 1656, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.

Permanent Endowment seeks fall grant applicants

The Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard is accepting applications for its fall grant cycle. The Endowment welcomes applications from Island nonprofit organizations with IRS 501 (c) (3) status seeking funding for new projects as well as continuing programs. In the past, the Endowment has provided support for the arts and culture, civic affairs and community development, education, the elderly, the environment, housing, health and human services and youth, according to a press statement.

Application materials are available on the Endowment’s website at www.endowmv.org. The deadline is September 30. All applicants will be notified of grant awards in late October, early November. Contact Andria Jason at ajason@endowmv.org.

New officers for American Legion

American Legion Department of Massachusetts representatives made a trip to Martha’s Vineyard on September 11 to meet with Vineyard Haven Post 257 officers, who were newly elected in August. Senior Vice Commander Charles Towers, a candidate for American Legion Department of Massachusetts Commander for 2014-15, spoke to the officers about membership standings across the state and Post 257’s goal to increase local membership. Henry “Hank” Bradley, a past National Vice Commander and past state American Legion Department Commander, also attended the meeting, along with state American Legion Department historian Ben Wilcoxen.

Post 257’s new officers for 2013-14 include Commander Vernon Oliver, Vice Commander John Hirt, Chaplain David Berube, Adjutant Mike Fontes, and Finance Officer Jo Ann Murphy.

In support of the Food Pantry

The Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center’s annual Hunger Drive supports the Island Food Pantry. During the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur holidays, the Drive distributed empty grocery bags (generously donated by Cronig’s) to all those who attended services. Stapled onto the bags was a letter describing the Hunger Project and asking that congregants return the bags filled with non-perishable foods. On Wednesday, September 18, the students from the Hebrew Center’s religious school delivered the donations to the Island Food Pantry.

According to Armen Hanjian, Island Food Pantry coordinator, this is the largest annual donation of food that the Pantry receives.