February 2024 Edition

Welcome to the February 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 our latest Holiday Angels success; kickoff on our largest event of the year; look forward to the first batch of awareness days in the year; 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

Holiday Angels

Another successful year of Holiday Angels has wrapped! 2023 was a record year for the program, as we found sponsors for all 300 enrolled children before Thanksgiving!

Presents poured in as usual, and through the generous donations of clothes and toys from our community, every child had several gifts to open this year. We were also able to provide gift cards to families for any home needs to ensure a Happy Holiday.

We are so grateful to those of you who went above and beyond with your support, in conjunction with some amazing local businesses and organizations. And we certainly appreciate all who shared our social media posts and spread info on the program by word of mouth. Thank you!

Artopia 2024

We are now accepting art donations for Artopia 2024!


If you're an artist, or own any art you were seeking to rehome, Artopia is a great opportunity to help our community in need. Artopia is our largest fundraiser of the year, our charity auction which celebrates the fine arts, while raising funds for our clients' resources.


Save the Date: This year's auction will take place on Saturday, June 22nd at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.


Artwork donated to Artopia will be auctioned to raise funds for our Client Services Department, and will become food, transportation, housing, and health care for those we serve. In addition to a tax benefit, you will receive a complimentary General Admission ticket to the event for each piece donated, up to three. Original works will also be juried for cash prizes! Click the button below to donate:

Donate Art

Photo by Bob O'Lary

Upcoming Awareness Days

February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black people account for 40% of estimated HIV infections, even though they make up only 12% of the U.S. population. NBHAAD helps to raise awareness of HIV testing, prevention, and treatment in communities of color.

February 28 is HIV Is Not a Crime Awareness Day. HIV-specific laws are not only outdated, but they also disproportionately impact Black, Latino, and LGBTQ people as well as individuals who engage in sex work. This awareness day aims to raise awareness of HIV criminalization laws in the country and amplify the work of those trying to reform them.

March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. According to the CDC, women made up 19% of new U.S. HIV diagnoses in 2019. This awareness day recognizes the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls.

March 20 is National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Observed at the beginning of Spring, this day honors American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, and is intended to empower these groups to get tested an raise awareness of HIV in their communities.

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 February 2024 issue of The Wellness Corner. If you have questions or want more information about any of the topics covered, please email Serene Smallwood here or call (850) 656-2437 extension 224. Thank you.

(850) 656-2437

Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

(850) 354-8765

Facebook  Instagram

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