September 17, 2024   – When Tracy Cornett first moved to Hazard, KY from Port Heron, MI as a teenager, she wasn’t sure what to expect. The rolling hills and everyone-knows-everyone lifestyle was foreign to her then.

“I moved to Hazard the same year that the new Perry County Central High School opened,” she said with a smile. “Everyone was so excited!”

Life in Hazard was different for the teenager who noted that in Port Heron, neighbors rarely cared to learn much about one another. Instead, they opted to stay on their own side of the fence and often never learn about those around them.

“While it was an adjustment to move to a smaller town, I appreciated the way that people cared about one another,” Tracy said. “It was something I noticed right away.”

Her caring heart has led Tracy to want to serve others and to find ways to help them through tough times, something that she loves about ARH and the ARH Foundation.

Tracy, who works as a Clinic Clerk at Hazard ARH in the Neurology department, has also become a major cheerleader for the Employee Giving program and the Employee Assistance Fund.

After COVID hit, Tracy said that she and her family, like so many others, hit hard times. A family member needed treatment that was only available in Beckley, which added additional financial strain to an already stressful situation. During this time, she found out about the Employee Assistance Fund.

“It felt like a miracle,” she said. “I didn’t think I would get it, but I applied anyway and took a chance. When I received notice that I would be getting assistance, I finally had hope that things were turning around.”

After receiving assistance from ARH and the ARH Foundation, things started turning around for Tracy and her family. Now, she is focused on highlighting the importance of giving through Employee Giving so that others can have help when they need it the most too.

“You don’t have to pay it back, but you can pay it forward,” said Tracy.

At her facility, Tracy frequently shares her story in hopes of helping people realize the assistance that ARH provides employees, as well as that you can help your ARH family by donating as little as $1 per paycheck.

“Having a wonderful place where you work that offers something like this is incredible,” she said. “It may be the person that works right next to you that needs help and by donating to employee giving, we can help them.”

When Tracy received assistance from the Employee Assistance Fund, she made a commitment to helping others and is proud to donate through the Employee Giving Payroll Deduction Program.

You can join Tracy and other members of the ARH family and support each other in hard times by donating through payroll deduction. Now, you’re able to sign up for a 1-year commitment or on an ongoing basis until you reach out and ask for the deductions to stop. Sign up today by visiting https://forms.office.com/r/PEGYzLZs2n and visit our website at www.arh.org/donate to learn more about the Employee Assistance Fund, as well as our other funds and opportunities to give for the public.