Michael Beckner, the Director of Respiratory Therapy at Summers County ARH Hospital, never imagined he would need the help he had so often given. However, when tragedy struck, the ARH Foundation stood by him, living out its mission.

Rooted in compassion, the ARH Foundation focuses on caring for communities and people throughout Eastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia. This compassion extends to the ARH family through the ARH Employee Emergency Assistance Fund, which assists ARH employees facing temporary financial hardship.

Earlier this year, Michael experienced something unimaginable; a devastating house fire left him with nothing. No insurance. No savings to fall back on. Only a few uniforms and some family photos remained after the tragic fire ravaged his home.

Michael has spent 35 years in healthcare, first as a Certified Nursing Assistant for 15 years and then as a Respiratory Therapist for the past 20 years. He joined ARH in 2017 and became the Director of Respiratory in 2018. A steady, compassionate professional dedicated to caring for others, he suddenly found himself in need.

More than a year before the tragedy, Michael had signed up for employee giving after hearing then-CEO Joey Preast speak about the ARH Foundation. “I gave because I believe in helping when you can,” Michael said. “I never imagined that one day I’d be the one applying for assistance.”

When Michael found himself in need, his ARH family quickly stepped in to help and encouraged him to apply for assistance through the ARH Foundation.

Reflecting on the application process, Michael continued, “Joey (Preast) encouraged me to submit a request for assistance through the ARH Employee Emergency Assistance Fund.” He went on to share that the process, from start to finish, was seamless and quick.

What followed wasn’t just support, it was a flood of care, concern, and sincere follow-up. “I felt cared for when I spoke to the Foundation staff,” said Michael. “I could tell that they genuinely wanted to help.”

Michael’s most immediate need was furniture for his living room. After renting a new place and covering the cost of deposits and essentials, he had little left. The Foundation worked with a local furniture store in Princeton, WV, to provide brand-new furniture, something that he says provided a tangible reminder that he wasn’t alone.

Throughout this experience, Michael shared that it became more and more clear that at ARH, we’re more than just coworkers, we’re family. In addition to the Foundation staff, Michael’s coworkers at Summers County ARH Hospital rallied around him, donating household items, sharing words of comfort, and showing him each day that he was not alone.

“I’ve never worked with so many caring people in my life. The ARH Foundation didn’t just approve my request, they made me feel seen. Supported. Valued,” Michael shared. “As we continue to embark on this new chapter of the ARH Foundation, stories like these are what we want people to remember,” said Whittney Allen, Director of Foundation Marketing and Communications. “The ARH Foundation exists for moments like these, when one of our neighbors—ARH employee or beyond—needs a helping hand, we want them to know that we stand ready to help.”

The ARH Employee Emergency Assistance Fund is funded entirely by donors. Through the generosity of donors like you, we can ensure that no ARH employee has to face the burden of temporary financial hardship alone.

“If you’ve ever wondered whether your donation makes a difference, let this be your answer. It does. It did. And it will again,” said Michael.

If you are interested in learning more about the ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities or giving a gift, please visit us online at www.arh.org/donate. For employees who would like to give through employee payroll deduction each pay period, please visit https://forms.office.com/r/PEGYzLZs2n to sign up today.