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Welcome to the December 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 highlight our two client dinners; celebrate the opening of our new pharmacy; wrap up another successful year of Holiday Angels; begin planning on next year's Artopia; spread the word about our wish list; honor this month's Champions of Care; continue the celebration of our 40th Anniversary; highlight a very important awareness day; 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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| | | Client Thanksgiving Dinner & Holiday Party | | The Client Thanksgiving Dinner was a great success this year, thanks to the hard work of Melissa and Client Services, as well as the staff, Board, and volunteers that made it out to help serve. | | |
With food and merriment, St. Paul's United Methodist Church welcomed us in for a lovely evening where we could commune with clients and share some holiday warmth. The Wesley Church on FSU's campus has a wealth of volunteers come and support the food serving and the clients gave a lot of positive feedback. |
| | It was also a joy to welcome clients into Care Point's large conference room for our Client Holiday Party on December 4th, where clients were treated to a winter wonderland! | | We appreciate every single staff member, Board member, and volunteer that donated their time to serve, and who helped procure the food and drink items that we shared with our community. |
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My immense gratitude for each of you who made it out to our Open House to celebrate our In-House Pharmacy, this is a huge moment for our community and our clients.
Why does having our own in-house pharmacy matter? And the answer is simple…it matters because it meets a real need in our community.
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| When the big box retailers closed, this neighborhood became a pharmacy desert. Suddenly, people were traveling farther, delaying treatment, or going without medications altogether. Our pharmacy restores access right here, where people live, work, and receive care. But it’s more than convenience. Because our pharmacy is integrated with Care Point, our providers, pharmacists, and case managers can communicate instantly. Clients can see their doctor and leave with their medications in hand. That means fewer delays, better adherence, and healthier outcomes. | | |
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This space also offers something retail chains can’t - privacy, trust, and wraparound support. Our team already knows our clients, their stories, their challenges, and their goals. Whether someone needs help with insurance, financial assistance, or simply a compassionate ear, all in one place. And every prescription filled here keeps resources local, strengthening the programs and services that so many in our community rely on.
This pharmacy is more than a new service…it's a commitment. A commitment to health equity, to accessibility, and to making sure no one is left behind.
Together we’re better,
Amber
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That's a wrap! We are very excited to announce that sponsors have been secured for all 344 children enrolled in this year's Holiday Angels program. We could not have hit our goals for these past few years without the care and engagement of our community, and this outpouring of generosity will be felt in every smile for these children.
From individuals to businesses to faith groups, so many people come together and recognize there is a great need our clients face in providing holiday joy to their children, and these new toys and warm clothes make a huge difference in their lives.
If you or anyone you know would like to continue your support of the program, we still accept donations year-round, and you can designate your gift to Holiday Angels at the link below:
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Artopia 2026 Call for Cover Art | |
Artopia 2026 needs a face, and each year, we put out an open call for Cover Art! The Cover Art is the visual that will guide all of Artopia's promotional materials, including all design for the website, social media, printed materials, advertising, and more.
This is a great opportunity to be seen by the art-buying and art-creating community in Tallahassee, so we want to encourage everyone to spread the word to any artist they know about submitting some work!
Cover Art can be any medium, we just recommend canvasses have a minimum 2' length and height measurement. To submit, the artist just needs to email a high-res photo of the piece to ssmallwood@bigbendcares.org, and include basic details on medium, dimensions, and title. Multiple pieces can be submitted.
| Deadline for submissions: Friday, January 30th, 2026 |
| Help Our Patients and Clients! | | |
Client Services has started up a new system to try to secure donated basic needs items for unsheltered, unhoused, and/or very low income folks we see and serve, especially for things that need to be NEW when offered (underwear, hygiene, etc.). We can also do limited requests for used items such as coats and blankets.
This Amazon wish list was informed by a list developed over the last few years, but it’s always good to get fresh input. Please have a look at the list by clicking the button below and let us know if you have additional suggestions.
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| November and December Champions of Care | | We are excited to announce our Champions of Care honorees who were recognized on November 7th and on December 3rd for exemplifying compassion, collaboration, and commitment to our mission: | | Jeanette Grice, Eligibility Coordinator | | Serene Smallwood, Development Coordinator | | Calvin Hall, Health Educator | | Brittany Kelly, Accountant | | |
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.
Join us in congratulating our November and December honorees, Jeanette, Serene, Calvin, and Brittany!
| | 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 for info on our upcoming Open House!
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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! | | |
World AIDS Day is December 1. Nearly 40 million people across the globe were living with HIV in 2023, according to UNAIDS. On this awareness day, the world comes together to show solidarity in the fight against HIV, express support for those living with the virus, and remember those lost to the epidemic |
| | 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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| Wishing every supporter of Big Bend Cares and Care Point Health & Wellness Center Happy Holidays and an even happier New Year! |
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We hope you enjoyed the December 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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