workers who may face financial, language or cultural barriers. Donations through MCGives! will help expand this Salinas Valley service countywide. “I have been impressed with the oncology projects of the local Cancer Patients Alliance, aimed at providing support to low-income Latinos and farmworkers with cancer in Monterey County.” -Oguchi Nkwocha, MD, MS THE CARMEL FOUNDATION Year Founded: 1950 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 19 paid, 106 volunteers Budget: $3,657,060 (831) 624-1588 carmelfoundation.org BIG IDEA: The Carmel Foundation’s vibrant community offers a wide array of services for older adults that nurture the whole self. More than 65 other weekly classes and activities are also available, from art to fitness to discussion groups. When it comes to food, this nonprofit plans to serve 24,000 meals this year across its homebound delivery, curbside pickup and campus dining room programs. Beyond that, The Carmel Foundation’s Big Idea is to support health through housing: The nonprofit provides 49 residential units, nearly all of Carmel’s affordable housing supply, to older adults. “Thank you for helping me with my plan to age gracefully and successfully in my senior years. The opportunities at The Carmel Foundation provide members with everything we need to be happy.” -Marcia Grace Alcott CENTRAL COAST VNA & HOSPICE Year Founded: 1951 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 174 paid, 34 volunteers Budget: $31,604,259 (831) 648-3710 ccvna.com BIG IDEA: Central Coast VNA & Hospice is sharing some impressive numbers. In 2024, this organization made 73,000 home health and hospice visits, cared for 3,900 patients, coordinated 1,800 volunteer visits and reached out to 2,248 bereaved people in Monterey and San Benito counties. Another big number: VNA seeks funds to help bridge an unprecedented funding gap. Both recent cuts to Medicare and rising costs for supplies and services have led to an urgent need. “Thank you very much for the exceptional care VNA provided to our daughter and the support given to us, her family. Your kindness, dedication and support during such a difficult period made a profound difference in our lives and allowed her to spend her final days with comfort at home. We especially appreciate the team’s attentiveness to her well-being and their willingness to answer questions at all times, including after her passing.” -M.F. COASTAL KIDS HOME CARE Year Founded: 2005 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 176 paid, 26 volunteers Budget: $7,538,174 (800) 214-5439 coastalkidshomecare.org BIG IDEA: Coastal Kids Home Care provides in-home pediatric palliative and home health care to Monterey County children facing serious and life-limiting illnesses. As the only such provider in the county, they have the healing part down. While the clinical team delivers critical care, donations to this Big Idea support Coastal Kids’ community engagement activities for the whole family. Outings to the zoo or museums and “Mom Nights” of painting and conversation help families with a medically fragile child reconnect to each other and themselves. 128 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com HEALTH, WELLNESS & FOOD DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM BREAST CANCER ASSISTANCE GROUP (BCAG) Year Founded: 1997 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 40 volunteers Budget: $455,510 (831) 649-6365 bcagmc.org BIG IDEA: Nearly 250 Monterey County women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by this time next year. The Breast Cancer Assistance Group (BCAG) provides direct financial assistance to these women, helping to cover housing, food and childcare. Last year, this all-volunteer team of breast cancer survivors provided direct aid to 80 women struggling to afford basic needs during breast cancer treatment. Donations through MCGives! also made it possible for BCAG to expand its Big Idea to assist those dealing with metastases and undergoing long-term cancer care. “I am so grateful for the BCAG grant I received to help with living expenses after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The work time I lost with doctor appointments, surgery and treatment caused me to lose much of my income over several months. The grant was so helpful to supplement my income and pay bills. The woman that called me for my interview was kind, compassionate and understanding. The grant was issued quickly and was so helpful in my time of need. Thank you so much.” -Sally Voss SPOTLIGHT “Each of our boys loves going to the doctor’s office in the redwoods.” -Anonymous, Big Sur Health Center
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