116 Monterey County GIVES! 2023 mcgives.com Health, Wellness & Food DONate online mcgives.com Alzheimer’s Association Year Founded: 1987 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 5 paid, 125 volunteers Budget: $495,000 647-9890 alz.org/norcal Big Idea: The Alzheimer’s Association provides no-cost education, support groups, care consultations, referrals and resources to Monterey County residents with Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairment. The group’s Big Idea promotes early detection for faster access to new treatments like Leqembi and also support networks for the patient and their caregivers. More than 8,000 of our neighbors live with dementia today. This number is expected to increase by 102 percent, to 16,200 residents by 2040, making this nonprofit’s services more needed than ever. “The Alzheimer’s Association has always been there for me as a caregiver for my wife who has Alzheimer’s disease. I have attended their support groups, education classes, and have called their 24/7 helpline for resources. My last Walk to End Alzheimer’s team raised more than $6,500 in support of their no-cost programs and services and to find a cure for this terrible, sad disease.” -Steve Leiker American Cancer Society Year Founded: 1913 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2,949 paid, 1,500,000 volunteers Budget: $2,300,000 (800) 227-2345 cancer.org Big Idea: When someone faces cancer, it’s essential their care team can communicate with and understand their patient’s perspective. However, specific gaps remain in addressing the needs of low-income and minority patients after a cancer diagnosis, says the American Cancer Society. That’s why its Big Idea focuses on integrating bilingual community health workers into primary and oncology care in Monterey County. Donations help support the Addressing Latinx CANcer Care Equity - Program for LongTerm United Skills-Building (ALCANCE-PLUS) initiative, including free, culturally and medically tailored meals for patients at Pacific Cancer Center in Monterey. “A patient at Montage had to drive 90 miles one way for radiation treatment and would not have been able to afford it five days per week. He was grateful to have support with gas cards from American Cancer Society. Another patient, who was at risk for becoming homeless, moved from Monterey to the San Francisco Bay Area to live with her daughter. Transportation assistance allowed her to continue her radiation treatment at our hospital.” -Deanna Rossi, social worker Big Sur Health Center Year Founded: 1979 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 9 paid, 35 volunteers Budget: $1,019,016 667-2580 bigsurhealthcenter.org Big Idea: Experiencing the spectacular wilderness delivers unforgettable moments for everyone. Sometimes, those moments land people at Big Sur Health Center. This nonprofit’s Big Idea is to continue providing individualized, preventive care to patients, including vaccinations (more than 1,000 people were vaccinated during the Covid-19 pandemic) as well as urgent care services, helping meet emergency needs. During wildfires and landslides, the Health Center provides medical care and other free services to firefighters and thousands of disaster victims. This healthcare provider delivers an essential service with respect and equity to one of Monterey County’s most unique communities. Everyone’s Harvest Year Founded: 2002 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 7 paid, 40 volunteers Budget: $866,967 384-6961 everyonesharvest.org Big Idea: At Everyone’s Harvest, food is medicine. This philosophy powers nutritious Big Idea programs at the nonprofit, which has a goal to provide local, sustainably grown produce to families with nutrition insecurity and diet-related diseases. Everyone’s Harvest nutrition programs and widespread farmers markets help at-risk families access fresh fruits and vegetables via Market Match, doubling CalFresh benefits for fresh produce, and Edible Education cooking demonstrations and healthy recipes at farmers markets. In the last decade, this nonprofit has provided more than $1.25 million in local healthy food incentives. “Salinas Valley Health has been fortunate to partner with Everyone’s Harvest to bring fresh produce to our local community through a seasonal farmers market for the past decade. Through our farmers market and the Fresh RX program we are able to positively impact the health and wellness of our community. Salinas Valley Health and Everyone’s Harvest share the same goal of making our community healthy through access to fresh fruits and vegetables and promoting an overall healthier lifestyle. Our program continues to grow each year and it feels good to know we are making a difference.” -Amanda Meyer, health promotion manager, Salinas Valley Health spotlight I feel like I have been well taken care of and that is comforting.” LaVerne McLeod, Big Sur Health Center
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