Helping to Preserve Tradition

COURTESY OF JOHN A. MORAN EYE CENTER

On October 30th, 2017, the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation was proud to support The Global Outreach Division of The John A. Moran Eye Center in their efforts to restore curable blindness in the Navajo Nation.

“Basket-weaver Anna Black lives on the Utah Strip of the Navajo Nation with her husband, Sam. Since his stroke, she has been his primary caregiver. Anna is known for the colorful, intricate baskets she has woven for years, carrying on the traditions of her ancestors. But as she developed cataracts in both eyes, it was getting harder and harder to see her work. Though her hands moved with precision, she wasn’t always sure the patterns came out the way she intended. Since Moran physicians removed her cataracts, she can weave her traditional baskets with more speed and precision and better provide an income for her family. ”

— John A. Moran Eye Center

A New Outlook On Life

Courtesy of John A. Moran Eye Center

On October 30th, 2017, the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation was proud to support The Global Outreach Division of The John A. Moran Eye Center in their efforts to restore curable blindness in Tanzania.

“ Twelve-year-old Ezeleda Julius was collecting firewood for her family when a stick stabbed her eye. Without treatment, she developed a traumatic cataract and nearly lost all sight in that eye. She showed strength and courage during her operation, and when her sight was returned, so was her smile. ”

— John A. Moran Eye Center

Live, Love, and Cycle

Courtesy of The Bicycle Collective

On October 30th, 2017, the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation was proud to support The Bicycle Collective in opening their newest location in Saint George, Utah.

“Since we opened, we’ve become a significant part not only of the bicycling community, but also of the landscape of charitable organizations in the area, serving especially lower income households and individuals new to bicycling. ”

— Clint Watson, Bicycle Collective Executive Director

Dancing For Success

Courtesy of Ballet West and Photographer – Beau Pearson

On October 30, 2017, the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation was proud to support Ballet West’s I CAN DO program that inspires children about not dropping out and allows them to experience and participate in the art of dance.

“Support from the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation helped to ensure that Ballet West’s Youth Education and Outreach Programs served schools across Utah, reaching more than 110,000 students, educators, and community members, free-of-charge. Ballet West’s Youth Education and Outreach Programs include: I CAN DO (Inspiring Children About Not Dropping Out), Ballet West for Children, Student In-Theatre Presentations, First Look, and Movement Mentor.”

— Jyn VanPutten, Ballet West

Happy Garden Helpers

Photo courtesy of Wasatch community gardens

On July 17, 2017, the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation was proud to support the Wasatch Community Garden's Youth Garden Club after-school and summer garden classes- programming that serves primarily children from low-income families. 

“In 2017, 1,172 youth participated in a class, field trip, summer camp, or group visit through our Youth Garden Program. Specifically, our Youth Garden Club classes provided 273 youth with opportunities to grow, prepare, and eat fresh fruits and vegetables in our youth teaching gardens, and share them with their families and the larger community. Of those 273 youth, 27% came to us from households with “extremely low” incomes as defined by Federal guidelines. Another 19% were from households with “very low,” “moderately low,” or “low” incomes. Roughly 38% of these participants were Hispanic or Latino, and 44% came to us from single female-headed households.”

— Wasatch Community Gardens

A healthy start is a Head Start

PHOTO COURTESY OF UTAH COMMUNITY ACTION

The David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation was proud to support Utah Community Action (UCA) in January, 2017. DKJ Memorial Foundation was able to assist in the purchase of medical supplies for Head Start children, support payer of last resort responsibilities for families that are unable to pay for the cost of critical medical treatments, and purchase first aid kits for classrooms.

“UCA Head Start’s Health and Family Partnerships team works to manage and monitor the health of our program participants. This team coordinates health and dental screenings, monitors the healthy growth of children, assists families in the location of medical homes, and provides education to parents and caregivers in order to help families manage health in the home. This hard working team has been able to leverage the generous support of the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation due to their in-depth knowledge of health needs among our Head Start children.”

— Utah Community Action

Seeing the whole picture

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL YEI

As part of an ongoing effort to support the John A. Moran Eye Center, we are proud to report that our funding has had a major impact on the work of their the local and global outreach programs. The program reaches out to patients in some of the most neglected corners of the world – helping patients to have their vision restored with surgeries or even just a pair of glasses.

On Friday, April 21st, 2017, the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation had the opportunity to join the Moran Eye Center on an outreach trip to the Navajo Nation. During this trip, we were able to assist in visual acuity testing and fittings for glasses. We were able to see firsthand the limited health care available to the Navajo Nation and how much this impacts their community.

The DKJ Memorial Foundation would like to thank the Moran Eye Center for this overwhelming opportunity. We are proud to continue our efforts in supporting this valuable work to fight preventable blindness worldwide by building local eye care capacity.

For more information on the John A. Moran Eye Center’s work visit them at https://healthcare.utah.edu/moran/

Bridging the Gap, Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank, and St. Martha's Baby Layette Programs

Photo courtesy of Catholic Community Services

On January 5th, 2017 we had the pleasure of supporting Catholic Community Services of Utah’s (CCS) Bridging the Gap childhood hunger prevention program, the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank, and St. Martha’s Baby Layette Programs. CCS was able to help almost 89,000 individuals in our community with 2.6 million pounds of food.

“The Foundation and your Board have been a blessing to us as we work to carry out our mission of practicing gospel values of love, compassion and hope through service support and collaboration. Thank you for your support and generosity. ”

— Bradford R. Drake, CCS Executive Director

Angelic works, angelic sounds

The David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation is pleased to replace the 30-year-old organ at The Cathedral of the Madeleine. In its place, is a beautiful organ made in the Netherlands by Klop Organs and Harpsichords. This instrument is hand crafted from gorgeous blonde wood that will be used for the services provided by the Choristers of The Madeleine Choir School. In this video, is Dr. Gabriele Terrone who gives a beautiful demonstration of this organ at The Cathedral of the Madeleine. The DKJ Memorial Foundation would like to thank Dr. Gabriele Terrone and The Cathedral of the Madeleine for taking the time to show us this instrument in its glory.

“As stated in our initial request for funding – with the objectives of the David Kelby Memorial Foundation in mind and in regards to the wishes of his grandmother, Elizabeth Johnson – we will recognize the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation in our public messaging throughout each concert season and during our student-involved anti drunk driving campaign. We welcome discussion and collaboration around other thoughts to promote this effort.

On behalf of the entire learning community at the Choir School, I wish to express to you my very deep gratitude.”

— Gregory Glenn, Founder and Pastoral Administrator at the Choir School