August 2024 Edition

Welcome to the August issue of The Wellness Corner - the e-newsletter for our community of advocates and enthusiasts - from Big Bend Cares and Care Point Health & Wellness Center.


In this issue, we wrap up another successful Artopia; share a last reminder about Beer Fest; announce our next big event; celebrate an exceptional volunteer; see August and September's awareness days; and share other ways you can support our mission.


Every day, Big Bend Cares and Care Point continue to provide essential assistance and quality health care to those we serve in the Tallahassee and Big Bend area (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties). Our services include free HIV and STD testing, primary health care, dental care, lab work, sexual health education, courtesy transportation services, home-delivered meals, co-pay assistance for medications, and case management services.


These services wouldn't be possible without your generous donations, support, and contributions. To you reading this newsletter- thank you for helping us provide health care and much more to those in need - we appreciate you!


Thank you for reading!

Shameria Young

Board President

Big Bend Cares

Care Point Health & Wellness Center

Artopia 2024

Photos by Winnie Miles and Bob O'Lary

We are so happy in celebrating the success of another Artopia this year! June 22 was an evening to remember, with an incredible amount of art bringing in almost 1000 guests, and over $140,000!

Our art community really showed up, donating 490 pieces of art, which led to a record number of pieces selling, ranging from paintings and sculptures, to fiber craft and jewelry.

The evening built up to the anticipated Live Auction, featuring the Best In Show pieces, as well as a Live Art piece that was painted over the course of that evening by Melissa Davis, last year's Cover Artist!

The Board of Directors and rest of the Big Bend Cares/Care Point team thank you so much for spreading the word, donating art, attending the event, bidding on items, and supporting our largest fundraiser of the year. These funds will go on to provide more vital resources to those we serve. Without the care of our community, and without the donation of time from amazing volunteers, we couldn't have had such a successful Artopia.

Check out the photo album from this year's amazing event:

Facebook Album

Tallahassee Beer Festival

We're less than two weeks out from the Tallahassee Beer Festival!


This is the final sprint to secure your tickets for one of the largest beer tasting events in the area, that also provides charitable benefit to local health agencies, including Big Bend Cares and Care Point!


The fun starts at 2pm Saturday, August 10th at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, featuring over 100 brewers and over 300 varieties of drinks to try.


United Partners for Human Services lets you help us directly through the use of our special code 'BBC'. So be sure to click 'Unlock' and use that code at checkout so your ticket can support us.


Beer Fest Tickets

AIDS Walk 2024

Join the Fight and register for the 34th Annual Tallahassee AIDS Walk today!


The Tallahassee AIDS Walk is another of Big Bend Cares' core fundraising and community events, which is put on each year in partnership with Neighborhood Medical Center and Bond Community Health Center.


This year's walk will start at 6:30pm on Thursday, September 12th at the Southwood Nature Trail (the intersection of Ivy Green Trail and Grove Park Dr.). Then, we gather after for some fun, music, food, and education with community partners.


Each year, we have been growing our participation, and want as many community members as possible to come and walk with the hundreds that have before, supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS. We thank you for helping spread the word and sharing our social media posts!


Registration is now open, which means you can sign up, make your team, and pre-order your shirt today:

Walk Registration

July's Volunteer of the Month

This July, we wanted to uplift Volunteer of the Month Zhe Li for his outstanding service! Always looking for more ways to help, Zhe has triumphed in weekly volunteering and in Artopia, doing a great job organizing the art for a successful auction. Thank you!

Upcoming Awareness Days

August 20 is Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. In 2021, more than 50% of new HIV diagnoses were in the South. SHAAD raises awareness of the HIV crisis in the region and marks an opportunity to advocate for resources to address it.

August 25 is National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. HIV affects people of all faiths across the United States. The goal of NFHAAD, is to bring together Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and members of other religions to raise awareness and fight the virus.

September 18 is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day. According to the CDC, more than half of people living with HIV and AIDS in the United States are ages 50 and older. This awareness day promotes HIV education and encourages HIV testing for all older adults.

September 27 is National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. According to the CDC, gay and bisexual men accounted for 70% of new HIV infections in the United States in 2021. In addition to promoting HIV testing, NGMHAAD is a time to raise awareness of and support dialogue about HIV prevention and treatment and the unique needs of gay and bi men.

If you or someone you know is interested in getting tested for HIV, learn more by clicking the button below:

HIV Testing

Givers Every Month (GEM) Club

Last year, over 3,730 no cost food bags were given to our clients in Tallahassee and the Big Bend facing food insecurity because of our GEM Club members.


And GEM Club members make it possible for us to provide FREE comprehensive health care to our uninsured patients, with no sliding fee scale.


What is a GEM Club member?

 

It’s you and me - neighbors helping neighbors. GEM (Givers Every Month) Club members donate monthly and 100% of their gifts go towards food and health care for our neighbors in need. Want to become a GEM Club member and help us serve others? Click the button below:

Give Monthly

Take a Tour of Care Point Today!

Ever wonder what happens beyond the closed doors of Care Point?


Sign up for a guided tour today and witness a behind-the-scenes view of “the 27,000 square feet of awesomeness!” including the 10 patient exam rooms, lab, x-ray facility, and dental wing.


For details and to reserve a space on the next tour, please email Takila Brooks here.

We hope you enjoyed the August 2024 issue of The Wellness Corner. If you have questions or want more information about any of the topics covered, please email development@bigbendcares.org or call (850) 656-2437 ext. 224.

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(850) 354-8765

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Big Bend Cares, Inc. / Care Point Health & Wellness Center is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), federal tax-exempt organization. All donations are deemed tax-deductible.

FEIN: 59-2816580