Helping Heartbeats

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Muskingum County is fortunate to have numerous nonprofits that offer a wide array of outreach programs which help residents when they need it the most.

Zanesville Heartbeats Branch Director Linda Dady explained the work her organization provides young families struggling to succeed and the crucial role that holiday donations play in maintaining their outreach programs.

“Heartbeats is a nonprofit pregnancy center here in our community. We do limited first trimester ultrasounds and we do pregnancy tests. We also have parenting classes. Heartbeats benefits the whole community. There’s no restrictions on income. Anyone can come. All our services are free. We don’t even go through your insurance. So it benefits everyone in the community,” Dady said.

This week, Heartbeats is conducting their Grateful Hearts campaign. The fundraiser allows donors to purchase a Christmas tree ornament for their in-office display to honor a loved one. A red heart ornament can be purchased for $100 dollars, a gold heart ornament for $50 and a silver heart ornament for $25.

“Donations are what Heartbeats is funded by. We do not get any federal funding at all, so we’re 100 percent nonprofit. Donations are what fuel us to be able to help the community. So without donations, we wouldn’t have Heartbeats, we wouldn’t have any services available to help anyone.”

Dady says the campaign will run through Friday and the easiest way to donate is through their website but you can donate in person, during normal business hours, at their 2447 Maple Avenue location or their 336 East Main Street, Newark location.

Heartbeats Director of Client Services Cayla Mount added that for the first $5,000 dollars, each dollar donated will be matched by Redemption Church of Licking County to help reach the $10,000 dollar goal.