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Lost & Found Grief Center
1006 North Cedarbrook Ave., Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 865-9998
www.lostandfoundozarks.comFacebook account:
facebook.com/lostandfound.griefcenterTwitter account:
twitter.com/#!/LAFGriefCenterOther social media address(es): Linked In: linkedin.com/company/lost-&-found YouTube:
youtube.com/user/lostandfoundozarks1Total number of employees (FTE): 5
Annual revenues: $463,387
Director & Co-Founder: Dr. Karen Scott
Board Chair: Cameron Collins, Engineer, Malone, Finkle, Eckhardt & Collins
Board of Directors: Cameron Collins, Chairman, Engineer, Malone Finkle Eckhardt & Collins; Tom Singleton, Vice-Chairman, Retired Executive; Brenda Raynor, Secretary, Owner, Organizational Marketing Solutions, LLC;Dean Young, Treasurer, Principal/CFP, Heim-Young & Associates; Greg Aleshire, Partner, Aleshire Robb P.C.; Shawn Askinosie, CEO, Askinosie Chocolate; John Cook , Partner, BKD, LLP; Justin French, VP, BPJ Insurance; Walt Gaska, MD, Mercy; John Gentry, President, Positronic Industries; Jana Hansen, Community Volunteer; Alan Nippes, Partner/CPA, Fritz Nippes & Associates, LLP; Gloria Roling, Mortgage Loan Consultant, Southern Missouri Bank of Marshfield; David Ross, Director of Operations, Morelock-Ross; John Schaefer, President/COO, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper; Bonnie Shackter, Community Volunteer; Lisa Slavens, Artisan Construction Services, Inc.; Brian Straughan, President, Springfield First Community Bank; Jon Swope, President/CEO, Mercy Central Region; Cindy Wyrsch, Community Volunteer
Mission:
Lost & Found provides grief support services, at no charge, in a safe and supportive environment for children, young adults, and their families grieving the death of a loved one.
Service Area:
Lost & Found provides services to children and families in Southwest Missouri. The region is defined by the families who choose to attend group, which is currently an 18-county region. Families come from all walks of life, with varying degrees of family functioning and financial stability.
Funding:
Lost & Found’s revenue relies on the support of monetary and in-kind donations from individuals, corporations, and local businesses. The Center has been successful in securing additional funding from grants, foundations, mailings, and fundraisers.
12-month Goals: 1) Enhance programs and volunteer base to support continued growth and demand for services. 2) Provide education to the community regarding the need and impact of grief support. 3) Expand services to meet the requested needs of the community. 4) Develop funding sources and position the organization for a capital campaign.
Annual Events:
Lost & Found offers a variety of unique events: Evening of Hope, held in late January, is a night of elegance and a dinner auction. Memorial Balloon Release & 5K Run/Walk, a community-wide event to honor loved ones, occurs Thursday night before Memorial Day weekend. Charity Golf Tournament takes place at Hickory Hills Country Club. Game Day, hosted by Young Ambassadors, revolves around a Mizzou Tigers football game in the Fall.
How People and Businesses Can Help:
Contributions of cash and in-kind services for operational and group support. Circle of Friends Monthly Giving Program allows donors to support at all levels. Child Sponsorships support a child in group for a year. Memorial Contributions to honor the life of a lost loved one. Bequests or endowment gifts have a life-long impact. Attend Lost & Found events. Educate others about Lost & Found’s services and mission and encourage them to get involved.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Lost & Found welcomes volunteers with several opportunities; Facilitators are needed to assist in group sessions and Greeters welcome families. Administrative and office volunteers support daily operations. Fundraising and special events volunteers are needed throughout the year.
Testimonial “Kids need this place. It would be hard for them to keep their things inside of them and not let it out. Everybody is nice here. I think the adults like it too. You can cry here. At school you will look like a baby. You won’t look like a baby here because almost everyone cries. I feel like everybody at Lost & Found is a part of my family. I feel like they built that hole up in my heart and put the pieces back in it and it’s not empty anymore.” - Cameron (child participant – 10 years old)
