A Lincoln nonprofit organization fundraises so other nonprofits don’t have to do so.

The Lincoln Hills Foundation, established in 2001, provides grant money to other nonprofit organizations that benefit Lincoln’s senior residents, according to secretary Jean Ebenholtz.

“What I like about the foundation is we are trying to raise the funds and give it to organizations that do hands-on work,” Ebenholtz said. “Rather than they have to spend their time raising money, we do the fundraising and they are able to do hands-on (work).”

In 2011, the foundation distributed $32,105 in grants to organizations including the Salt Mine, Saint Vincent de Paul, Seniors First and the Bosom Buddies breast cancer support group, according to Ebenholtz.

The Lincoln Hills Foundation also provides a grant to the Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center in Carmichael, Ebenholtz said. That grant provides respite care for seniors who are caregivers for another senior with memory issues or physical disabilities.

“Respite is relief for the daily caregiver, in order for people to run an errand, for the caregiver to go to their own medical appointment or have lunch with a friend,” Ebenholtz said. “It’s a getaway for the full-time caregiver and they know their loved one is cared for.”

The foundation raises money through monthly bingo games, an annual fund drive and its Dine Around, Shop Around Lincoln fundraiser.

The respite care program through Del Oro is one of three senior assistance programs Ebenholtz highlighted during a recent interview. The other two are the Medical Assistance Program and the Senior Needs Program.

The respite care program receives $5,000 a year, Ebenholtz said, The Medical Assistance Program receives $2,500 a year and the Senior Needs Program receives $500 a year.

The foundation “wants to get the word out there,” Ebenholtz said, that these programs are available for Lincoln seniors.

“We want the people of Lincoln to know the help is out there,” Ebenholtz said.

The Medical Assistance Program is provided by the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, which is a church-based nonprofit organization that provides various services to poor residents in Lincoln, Wheatland, Sheridan and Nicolaus.

Ron Morin, a St. Vincent de Paul member, said the Medical Assistance Program assists seniors over 55 with “any medical expenses we can help with.”

Examples of expenses are doctor visits, prescriptions, wheelchairs, walkers and batteries for hearing aids and motorized wheelchairs, Morin said.

St. Vincent de Paul received its first $2,500 grant two years ago, Morin said, and “had only spent $1,000 through the end of last year.”

“We have this money for seniors, and if anybody needs it, give us a call,” Morin said. “The money is there and we’d really like to use it.”

Through the Senior Needs Program, the Salt Mine “provides specific items that would help out seniors,” according to Salt Mine pastor Eric Long.

Those items include nutritional drinks geared toward seniors as well as adult diapers, Long said. The Salt Mine used to receive those items through donations.

“Now with the grant money, we are able to purchase them and have them in stock,” Long said.

Long also wants Lincoln’s senior residents to know they are eligible to receive food at the Salt Mine.

“Not only can we help them with these specific items but food, too,” Long said. “That’s what we are here for, especially in these times when people are on fixed incomes.”

Lincoln Hills Foundation providing grants is “wonderful,” Long said.

“I think it’s another community organization that is working together with other community organizations to better provide services that specifically meet the community’s needs,” Long said.

Michelle Nevins, the Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center’s executive director, said her organization “is extremely grateful” for the grants.

“It’s been a wonderful partnership. They have actually done a wonderful job, not only with this grant funding but with support groups, information and literature,” Nevins said.

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Nonprofit resources

Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center

Contact: Michelle Nevins, 768-9333 ext. 108

St. Vincent de Paul

Info: 645-7201

The Salt Mine

Info: 645-3778