The Church contributed $250,000 to Valley Mental Health of Salt Lake City June 16 toward the construction of a local mental health facility.
Presenting the check on behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Foundation was Presiding Bishop Merrill J. Bateman and Elaine L. Jack, Relief Society general president. Accepting the check was Dr. David E. Dangerfield, executive director of Valley Mental Health, a valley-wide system of mental health services.Dr. Dangerfield explained in a news release that the Church's donation "will make it possible to build Valley Woods, a multi-level complex designed to provide permanent housing for chronically mentally ill clients who otherwise could not afford housing."
Others attending the short ceremony in the lobby of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building were Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire, president of the board of Valley Mental Health; John Wunderli, director of resource development and legal counsel for Valley Mental Health; and Keith B. McMullin, managing director of the Church's Welfare Services Department. Brother McMullin introduced those participating.
Also present were Grant and Edna Schettler, who, under the auspices of the Schettler Foundation, were the first contributors to the mental health facility.
In presenting the check, Bishop Bateman explained that the mental health facility is to be "used to help people you work with to become more independent in terms of their living and life and to become more self-reliant, to be able to achieve what all of us want to achieve in life."
In her remarks, Pres. Jack explained: "Relief Society is concerned with the emotional and spiritual well-being of others. We reach out to others. We're happy to be a part."
In accepting the contribution, Dr. Dangerfield said: "On behalf of the mentally ill in our community, we appreciate very much the gift. This will go a long way toward really establishing and helping them establish more sense of independence, feeling of self-worth and reliance on themselves. We think that one of the important parts of the treatment of the mentally ill is that they have safe, decent and affordable housing, and that's what this
donationT is going to be able to accomplish."
