HOMETOWN STRONG SEPTEMBER 2020

On a cold rainy day, GTS Physical Therapy in Highland warmed hearts with a $1,000 donation for two important causes ($500 each).

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, New Beginnings Pregnancy Help Center (NBPHC), located in Ash Flat, received an unexpected donation. Director Laura Lute was thrilled with the surprise donation.

“This was such a surprise. With COVID, our fundraising was put to a halt [this year]. This was an unexpected, absolute blessing,” said Lute. She was out of town when the call came in, so when she arrived at the Highland GTS Physical Therapy office, she couldn’t believe she was there to receive a $500 donation.

When asked if there were special plans for the donation, Lute explained NBPHC’s plans to expand. “We want to expand our center so it will probably go toward our building fund. We were donated the Dan Orr building adjacent to us and so I think we are going to refurbish it and add bigger classrooms so we can do group classes,” she said.

Another goal for the center is to add an educational program for men. “Our main goal this year is to try and get Fatherhood Initiative [going].” Lute said the center wants to get the fathers in and educate them, since the center already does that for expectant mothers. “That is something we are looking forward to,” she added.

“Hometown Strong” is a program among GTS Physical Therapy’s 11 locations and 60+ employees. Owner and physical therapist Lance Gross explained the program. “Our employees and GTS Physical Therapy contribute to a monthly fund that is drawn from their paycheck. Once a month we do a random drawing of our employees and whichever one is chosen, they get to choose which charity gets the $1,000 donation in their hometown,” said Gross.

This month, Becky Pearson at Highland’s GTS location, chose New Beginnings Pregnancy Help Center (NBPHC) in Ash Flat and the family of Liby Bruce, a local teenager who recently lost her battle against cancer.

Bruce’s family was unable to attend the donation presentation. Liby was a 15-year-old local resident who was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare cancer causing tumors that grow in the bones. Unfortunately, she passed away on Friday, Oct. 30.

Stay tuned for future “Hometown Strong” recipients as there are several GTS Physical Therapy offices located in the tri-county area.