KOKOMO, IN / PRESS RELEASE – United Way serving Howard and Tipton Counties’ Board of Directors has announced a $6,000 grant to help fund Dentures, a program through Project Access.

Donations given through the Annual Fundraising Campaign, both individually and through workplace campaigns make this grant possible. United Ways’ donors make it possible for Project Access to assist with dental care that helps to alleviate pain for individuals in our community.

“We are thankful that our donors help United Way fund the Dentures program,” said Jeff Young, United Way serving Howard and Tipton Counties Interim President and CEO. “If you have ever suffered from a tooth ache, you understand the importance of this program. Project Access is able to offer help to those who are unable to afford dentures so they can get back to living their lives pain-free.”

Asset-Limited, Income Constraint, Employed (A.L.I.C.E) families make up 38% of our community’s population. These families are one crisis away from not being able to meet their basic needs. Project Access is able to assist 20 individuals a year with single or full mouth extractions with dentures, who would be unable to afford this dental care otherwise.

“My favorite memory of the denture program was a few years ago when a woman who waitressed in town qualified for dentures,” said Staci Lowery, United Way Director of Operations. “Her boss noticed that she wasn’t smiling or interacting with her customers because of the appearance of her teeth and it was affecting her tips. Once she received her dentures, she couldn’t stop smiling, her confidence and self-esteem boosted and as a result, she was able to earn better tips.”

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