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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 the success of Artopia; remind everyone about Beer Fest this weekend; announce planning and registration open for AIDS Walk; honor this month's Champions of Care; continue the celebration of our 40th Anniversary; highlight some upcoming 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!
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Amy Thorn
Board President
Big Bend Cares
Care Point Health & Wellness Center
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After an exciting and busy weekend, we returned from Artopia 2025 to report a successful event! We're humbled to announce we raised over $130,000 at the auction! Year after year, we are only able to raise so many funds thank to our generous art creating and art buying community. |
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We would like to thank each and every staff member, Board member, and volunteer for the time they donated to helping run operations smoothly. This year was the introduction of our virtual auction platform GiveSmart, so we thank all of our attendees as well for being so adaptable learning the system, which will be of great use next year! |
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In addition to celebrating our 40th Anniversary, this Artopia uplifted the arts with Dan Taylor's live painting, a live cellist performance from Lauren Mullinax, and the Live Auction, where bids flew on some amazing selections. Click the button below to check out the photo album from the evening. |
| | Tallahassee Beer Festival | | Tallahassee Beer Festival is this weekend! This is your last chance to get tickets for the August 8-9th event at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. Dozens of brewers will be serving up a cool Saturday indoors, with food and fun to enjoy with your tastings. And Big Bend Cares benefits! |
| A portion of your ticket purchase can go directly to helping us out, just use code BBC at checkout. |
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This year, we're "Taking a Step Forward" for the 35th Annual Tallahassee AIDS Walk!
The AIDS Walk raises awareness and funds to benefit our 3 local HIV/AIDS service organizations: Big Bend Cares, Neighborhood Medical Center, and Bond Community Health Center.
This year's theme "Taking a Step Forward" is about engaging everyone in the community we can with the efforts to fight HIV. By walking with us, you're joining hundreds who know that making change means taking that first step.
Save the Date: 6:30pm on Thursday, September 18th at the Southwood Nature Trail
Registration is now open, which means you can sign up to walk, pre-order your shirts, and setup a fundraiser. Be sure to make a team for your business, student organization, faith group, family, etc.!
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We are excited to announce our inaugural Champions of Care honorees who were recognized on July 18th for exemplifying compassion, collaboration, and commitment to our mission: | | Larenza Haines, Director of Facilities and Maintenance | | Bobbie "Michelle" Dickens, Medical Assistant | | |
This is our monthly peer recognition program where every month, where we spotlight 1-2 team members who are the unsung heroes of our work, and help us thrive as an organization.
This month, we received thirteen (13) nominations which speaks to the caliber of our team, and their commitment to our work each and every day.
Join us in congratulating our inaugural honorees, Larenza and Michelle!
| | Celebrate Big Bend Cares’ 40th Anniversary with us! | | |
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For 40 years, we’ve walked alongside thousands of people on their journey to wellness. To honor this milestone, we’re sharing 40 stories—from clients, staff, volunteers, and partners—who’ve helped shape our mission of advancing HIV services and sexual health for all.
Stay tuned to our social media in August!
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| Help Us Reach $40,000 for Our 40th Year | | Join our Givers Every Month (GEM) Club at a $40/month level, or raise your current membership by $5/month, and receive a limited run 40th Anniversary t-shirt! | | Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day | | | Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is August 20. In 2022, nearly half 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 more resources to address it. |
|  | National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is August 31. HIV affects people of all faiths across the United States. The goal of NFHAAD, which is observed on the last Sunday in August, is to bring together Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and members of other religions to raise awareness and fight the virus. |
| | National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day and National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day | | | National HIV/AIDS and Aging Day is September 18. According to the CDC, 50% of people living with HIV in the United States are ages 50 and older. This awareness day promotes education around HIV and encourages HIV testing for all older adults. |
| | National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is September 27. According to the CDC, gay and bisexual men accounted for 71% of new HIV infections in the United States in 2022. NGMHAAD is a time to promote HIV testing and raise awareness about HIV prevention and treatment, and the unique needs of gay and bi men. |
| | 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:
| | 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 lgallo@bigbendcares.org
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We hope you enjoyed the August 2025 issue of The Wellness Corner. If you have questions or want more information about any of the topics covered, please email ssmallwood@bigbendcares.org or call (850) 656-2437 ext. 224. |
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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
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