COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The 2015 Community Health Center Foundation Gala will be held on Saturday, October 3 at 6:00 p.m. at the DearthCenter in Coldwater. The 10th annual event promises great food from Caruso’s and the Branch Area Career Center’s Culinary Arts Program and live entertainment from Jacob Mayer. The auction committee is excited to present a live auction that contains all experience packages and a silent auction that will include mystery boxes and other exciting activities. New this year will be an exciting “Corks for a Cause” fundraiser.
This year’s event will raise funds for, and awareness of, the CHC School Tele-health Program. Started in 2014, the CHC School Tele-health program is a collaboration between CHC, the Branch Intermediate School District, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Counties Health Agency, Bronson Community Schools, Coldwater Community Schools, and Quincy Schools. The program increases access to primary healthcare for adolescents by providing an RN on school grounds with the potential of linking the student to a nurse practitioner or physician at the CHC Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic. Students have access to primary and preventative healthcare onsite.
While the program has transformed the delivery of care to students locally, it is also receiving state-wide recognition for innovation and collaboration. In spring of 2014, the program received a Hometown Hero Award from the Michigan Department of Community Health for collaboration. Later in 2014, the program received a Directors’ Award for innovation. The program is the first of its type in the state of Michigan and the state is looking for ways to replicate the program in schools across the state. Healthcare education and help navigating the health insurance marketplace is provided by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Counties Health Agency. The program is positively impacting the health of adolescents by improving immunization panel completion rates and enrollment continues to increase. “Not only does tele-health save families and the hospital costs in the long run, it builds a relationship of trust between the two, so that wellness becomes a part of the students’ success,” stated Robin Iveson, school board member. “When students are well and able to attend school, they’re better able to participate and succeed in school.”
The Gala Committee has set an aggressive goal of raising $65,000 for the program. If you are interested in helping the committee reach this goal, we welcome committee members at any time. Contact Terra Depew for more information. If you would like to attend, reservations for the event are $75 per person. Sponsorship levels are available starting at $200 and table sponsorships are available for $750. Please call early for reservations. For more information or to reserve your seat, please contact Terra Depew, at 517-279-5414 or tdepew@chcbc.com.
Established in 2000, the mission of the CHC Foundation is to improve lives by ensuring quality healthcare in our communities. With changes in legislation and increased community need, the CHC Foundation is a critical partner in providing care to all of Branch County.
