The Community Foundation of West Tennessee recently awarded a $25,000 grant to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in support of its “Le Bonheur on the Move” Mobile Care Unit serving children across rural West Tennessee.

Throughout the school year, the mobile unit travels to schools across the region, providing children with access to comprehensive pediatric healthcare services at no cost to families. Services include well-child examinations, acute care, sports physicals, developmental and behavioral assessments, medical referrals, and connections to local pediatricians and specialists.

The mobile unit currently serves students in school districts throughout West Tennessee:

• Crockett County
• Decatur County
• Dyer County
• Gibson County
• Haywood County
• Lauderdale County
• McNairy County
• Obion County

Le Bonheur shared the profound impact the mobile unit has on children and families who may otherwise face barriers to accessing healthcare. In one case, the mobile care team identified significant medical, dental, behavioral, and developmental needs among four young siblings in Haywood County. The team coordinated extensive follow-up care, specialist referrals, and support services over several months to ensure the children received the care they needed.

The current mobile unit has served West Tennessee communities for 16 years and now requires replacement due to increasing repair needs and operational disruptions.

“Children in rural West Tennessee deserve access to quality healthcare regardless of where they live,” said Melissa Spurgeon, CEO of the Community Foundation. “Le Bonheur on the Move is helping remove barriers to care by bringing critical medical services directly to children and families in their own communities. We are proud to support a program that is making such a meaningful impact.”

The Community Foundation of West Tennessee remains committed to investing in programs that strengthen the health and well-being of children and families throughout the region.

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