Correction: The original recording of this program referred to Pursuit as a Canadian company. That is incorrect. The reference has been removed from the audio. We apologize for the error.
The Jessica Stevens Community Foundation was founded in 2008 in honor of longtime care provider and community booster, Jessica Stevens. Jessica was killed in a car accident at the age of 47, leaving a husband, two sons and a community of friends and patients for whom she cared for as though they were family.
The foundation named in her honor is committed to carrying on the spirit of Jessica in awarding Healthy Communities grants to area non-profit organizations. The grants support areas Jessica was passionate about: compassionate health care, innovative education, active enjoyment of the natural environment and community enrichment through the arts and cultural expression.
As the years go by and memories get fuzzy – and new folks move into the area – it’s easy to forget just who Jessica was. In this show we hear from those who knew her and discuss the ways the Jessica Stevens Community Foundation keeps her memory alive.
In the second half of the show we discuss a fairly new program the Foundation has launched: Business Partnership. Currently, two businesses in the Upper Valley have begun collecting donations from customers and guests. Those monies are then funneled into funds managed by the Jessica Stevens Community Foundation. We hear from Stacie Smiley of the Dancing Leaf Gallery in downtown Talkeetna and also from the General Manager of the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Jeremy Sullivan.
If you have any questions or comments about this episode or suggestions for future shows, email us at dj@ktna.org or give the station a call at 907-733-1700.
Still curious? Here are some handy links to connect you to the topics and organizations related to this episode of Su Valley Voice: Jessica Stevens and the Foundation Named in Her Honor
Jessica Stevens Community Foundation
Sunshine Community Health Center
Dance music at bottom of the hour: Move by Pele Juju
The Rhythm Connection radio show by Robert Ambrose, on KTNA Sundays at 8pm
In Studio Guests
Maureen Gualtierri
Advisory Board Chair of the Jessica Stevens Community Foundation
Jeremy Sullivan
General Manager of the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Pre-recorded Interview Guests
Kathy Earnst
Diane Ziegner
Stacie Smiley
