Texas Philanthropist, Annette Simmons, joins forces with Mercy Ships to bring hope and healing

Garden Valley, Texas, August 4, 2010 - Mercy Ships announced today that Mrs. Annette Simmons has given a gift of stock in the amount of $1,015,635.19, that will be utilized to provide hope and healing to the forgotten poor.  In making this announcement, Don Stephens, President and Founder of Mercy Ships, stated, “The world wide economic situation has been difficult for all charities, and annually the slowest month of the year is August.  This gift could not have come at a better time as the needs of the poor know no calendar.  We are honored and blessed to have Annette come forward to join us and provide an opportunity of life to those we serve.  

Mercy Ships utilizes hospital ships to deliver free medical care provided by volunteer crew to areas of substantial need around the world.  Currently, more than 200,000 children die a week in impoverished nations due to the lack of proper food sources and standard medical care.

Mrs. Simmons said, “I’ve known of Mercy Ships for quite a while and wanted to give this gift for a long time.  My particular focus and interest is children.  What Mercy Ships does for children with their remarkable surgeons on their hospital Ship in Africa is wonderful!”

Myron (Mike) Ullman, Chairman of the Board – Mercy Ships International, responded, “Mercy Ships makes eminent business sense. All professional crew onboard the hospital ship raise their own financial support and actually pay monthly room and board.  This allows the funds donated to be used for the delivery of critical healthcare to those most in need.”


ABOUT MERCY SHIPS: Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services to those without access in the developing world.  Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $808 million, impacting more than 2.5 million direct beneficiaries. Each year Mercy Ships has over 1,200 volunteers from over 40 nations.  Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort.  Mercy Ships seeks to become the face of love in action, bringing hope and healing to the poor. For more information click on www.mercyships.org


Contact Information
US Public Relations
Kathy.gohmert@mercyships.org
903.939.7019