Family’s gift establishes endowment fund to improve the health of eastern North Carolina | Eastern NC Now

News Release:

    GREENVILLE     "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." These profound words were spoken hundreds of years ago, by Pericles, arguably the most prominent and influential Greek statesman.

    Robert and Frances Monk demonstrate this philosophy perfectly, as they spent their lives supporting dozens of health and educational organizations. Today, with their generous gift, the Monks have touched the lives of countless eastern North Carolina residents. They established an endowment fund that would continually give grants to local organizations. The $500,000 gift to the Vidant Health Foundation established the Robert Turnage Monk Sr. and Frances Joyner Monk Community Benefit Endowment Fund.

    Robert and Frances were lifelong residents of Farmville and they both understood the impact these initiatives would have on the community. "Our parents had a passion for health care and for making a difference in people's lives," said the couple's daughter, Emily Monk. "We hope that the establishment of this endowment will bring awareness and inspire others to partner with the Vidant Health Foundation to help provide excellent care throughout our region."

    The first distribution of the Monk Endowment funds will go to three organizations: The Boys and Girls Club of Greene County, The Creative Living Center, and Camp Don Lee.

    The newly established Boys and Girls Club of Greene County, which opened its doors in November 2013, will use the $10,000 grant to fund the Triple Play Program. Triple Play is a national program that teaches club members the importance of good nutrition and increased physical activity levels and how healthy lifestyles are associated with creating healthier minds.

    The Creative Living Center will use the $20,000 gift to start the Adult Daily Health Program, ensuring the program client's health indicators are monitored regularly. The nurse will check blood pressure, weight, blood sugar levels, and will follow up by reporting outcomes to the family and the primary care provider.

    Camp Don Lee will use the $10,000 pledge to build a health center. The camp hosts about 14,000 guests each year including, many at-risk groups such as elderly, overweight, and programs focusing on offering a camp experience to children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. The health center will include space for storage of medical supplies, an exam area, and rooms for patients to wash, rest and quarantine, as well as a waiting area for visitors and campers.

    The mission of Vidant Health Foundation is to develop relationships and secure financial resources to support the health and wellness services, programs and projects of Vidant Health hospitals and the counties they serve. The foundation includes partnerships with foundations at Vidant Medical Center and several community hospitals. In the 2013-14 grant cycle, the Vidant Health Foundation provided 137 grants totaling more than $1.8 million in communities across eastern North Carolina.

   Contact: Amy Holcombe, Vidant Health Corporate Communications,

     amy.holcombe@vidanthealth.com  •  (252) 847-2725