Palmer Professor Honored
J. Richard Burns, DC, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association at the Fall 2002 convention.

Burns is a 1973 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, and he joined the faculty that same year. He is a professor in Palmer’s Technique Department and served as department chairman from 1977 until 1999. Currently, he serves as a special assistant to the president, as well as professor of technique for the college.

Burns has received numerous other honors and awards, most notably Faculty of the Year at Palmer College of Chiropractic and Chiropractor of the Year by the Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association and the International Chiropractors Association. In addition to teaching, Dr. Burns maintains a private practice in East Moline, Ill.

Sherman College Receives Newcomer Award
Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic, Spartanburg, SC, was one of 13 organizations honored recently when the United Way of Spartanburg announced its Newcomer Award recipients, which honors companies that have instituted an employee giving campaign within the past year. Sherman College participates in the United Way at Work program, and student interns often provide free spinal screenings at United Way health fairs.

As a member of the United Way at Work group, Sherman College has participated in 15 United Way health fairs this year. In addition to employee giving and health fair participation, Sherman College has assisted the United Way by hosting a school supply drive and a canned food drive to benefit the organization.

“Our students, faculty, and staff love to volunteer and often give of their time to make a greater impact in the Spartanburg community,” said Linda Price, the college’s Director of Community Relations. “Our partnership with the United Way has been a wonderful experience.”

Life West’s Spinal Claus Helps Homeless Shelter
Life Chiropractic College West’s Public Health Center held its fifth annual holiday event to assist a local homeless shelter, Family Emergency Shelter Coalition (FESCO), in Hayward, Calif, on December 4, 2002. As a long time active supporter of FESCO, Life West Public Health Center offered a special photo opportunity with Spinal Claus, in exchange for a nonperishable food donation.

Participants off all ages came with donations and took advantage of the chiropractic holiday theme. Vertebra Christmas ornaments, and skeletons donning Santa hats and tinsel, were among the decorations for this event.

The event raised an impressive amount of nonperishable food. “We really appreciate being the recipients of Spinal Claus food donations again,” Nancy Schluntz, executive director of FESCO, said. “It’s an important part of our Adopt-a-Family program. With the continued economic downturn, we have more people than ever asking to help this year. Life West, Spinal Claus, and all the participants really came through again for our families. The effort is very much appreciated!”

FESCO provides emergency shelter and extended supportive services to homeless families with children throughout Alameda County. The organization’s shelter houses approximately 75 families throughout each year, including more than 200 children. At any given time, there are one to 18 children in the FESCO shelter. In addition, FESCO provides supportive services to about 200 at-risk, formerly homeless families with children who are working hard to sustain housing in the community.