Howard Family Dental Foundation, the charitable foundation of a dental office group based in Coastal Georgia and South Carolina donated $30,000 on Friday, January 26 to St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations. The money will be used to provide support, education and guidance to children and teens with a family member facing a life-threatening disease through the Howard Hand in Hand Support Program.
 
Howard Family Dental Foundation representatives, Dr. John C. Howard, Jr. and Dr. Julie Howard presented the check during a team annual summit at the Embassy Suites in Downtown Savannah. Dr. Howard Zaren, Marti Barrow and Skye Cossio of St. Joseph’s/Candler were on hand for the check presentation and have been instrumental in the implementation of the program.
 
The donation comes as the third contribution of their $150,000 pledge to support the program. This free program will help children cope with and process their thoughts and feelings – often fear, sadness, anger, confusion – about how life has changed for them and their families because of illness or disease.
 
Howard Hand in Hand served 60 families and 119 children from more than 18 area schools in 2016. The program grew to help more than 80 families and 163 children in 2017.
 
“I believe that Howard Hand in Hand helps meet the emotional and spiritual needs of many children and families facing extraordinary challenges,” said Dr. John Howard, Founder of Howard Family Dental. “This program provides the support children will need in, perhaps, the most challenging times of their entire life. Together, we can all give life-changing support, encouragement and hope.”