Welcome to our August 2022 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 you will find a wrap-up of this year's spectacular Artopia; a Care Point health update and welcome to our new Care Point COO; details on this year's Tallahassee AIDS Walk and some fun ways to support it with food and drink; details on the upcoming Tallahassee Beer Festival; our Volunteers of the Month for April, May, June, and July; and info on Gem Club and Care Point tours.

Every month, both Big Bend Cares and Care Point continue to provide aid and health care to those we serve in Tallahassee and the 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 educational opportunities, no charge client and patient transportation, home-delivered food bags, volunteer opportunities, assistance with co-pays for medication, and case management.

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

In Review:

Thank you again to Bob O'Lary for capturing the life of the evening in these amazing photos!

We want to give a huge thanks to every single guest, sponsor, donor, and artist that helped to make the 24th Artopia a night to remember! Everyone here at Big Bend Cares was blown away by the outpouring of community presence, making it the most successful Artopia to date.

With the help of community members like you, Artopia was able to raise tens of thousands of dollars to provide essential services to those we serve. Proceeds from the evening go directly back into the food, housing, transportation, and live-saving medical care for the Big Bend Area.

The evening was emceed by the spectacular Casanova Nurse and McKenzie Burleigh, who led the festivities. Among these, we all celebrated the presentation of the People's Choice Award to Elizabeth George, our cover artist!

With food, drink and fun, attendees swept the galleries, and every single piece in the Ron Yrabedra Gallery sold! In total, Artopia was able to raise funds through the auction of over 370 pieces of art, generously donated by those who show great care for community wellness.

Thank you for an amazing year!

Care Point Health Update:

August is Immunization Awareness month. Even if you received the vaccines you needed as a child, the protection from some vaccines can wear off. You may also be at risk for other diseases due to your job, lifestyle, travel, or health conditions. Find out what vaccines you may need based on different risk factors.

Currently, we are still facing cases of COVID-19 nationally, as well as the Meningococcal Disease outbreak in Florida. Immunization options are available, and should be considered if you don't already have them.

Call (850) 354-8765 or click here to make an appointment with your Care Point provider today to update your immunizations.

Welcome Alexis!

We are so happy to welcome Alexis D. Johnson to the Care Point team. Alexis is a 2016 graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University School of Allied Health Science where she received her Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management. She later received her MBA in Health Care Administration from South University. Alexis has worked in health care for almost 10 years. She has experience in Primary Care, Mental Health, Endocrinology, and Neurology. Alexis is very passionate about health care and helping others. Alexis presently serves on many community boards. On her free time Alexis enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants. We wish her much success!

Tallahassee AIDS Walk

Grab your sneakers and water and hit the trail with us for the 32nd Annual Tallahassee AIDS Walk!

Big Bend Cares, in partnership with Neighborhood Medical Center and Bond Community Health Center, invites the entire community out to the Southwood Nature Trail on Thursday, September 15th.

Starting at 6:30pm, the walk lasts about a mile, and will feature an evening of fellowship, educational guest speakers, and fun for the whole family.

As Big Bend Cares works towards its $10,000 goal, consider registering and joining/making a team for the walk, to raise awareness and meet others who care about our mission.

Dine and Drink to Support AIDS Walk!

We have a few events coming up that make supporting the AIDS Walk easier than ever! In partnership with some local businesses, we invite you to bring your friends and family for these evenings with some of your food and beverage favorites.

First, TODAY, August 31st, join us at Happy Motoring at 6pm for our Guest Bartending event, where someone from each of the health agencies running AIDS Walk (Big Bend Cares, Neighborhood Medical Center, and Bond Community Health Center) will be serving up drinks for the evening. All cash tips will become proceeds to support the walk!

Then, on Wednesday, September 7th, come out to the Chipotle on Tennessee St. from 4-8pm for a burrito or bowl to help the cause! Chipotle will be donating 33% of sales from the evening as a profit share towards AIDS Walk. And if you want to just pick up your meal, online orders count too with our special code RQV427Z.

Tallahassee Beer Fest

If you're a local beer fan, and want to support the United Partners for Human Services, the 4th annual Tallahassee Beer Festival is the event to attend! The festivities will take place September 10th at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

Enjoy Unlimited Sampling of HUNDREDS of Beer, Cider, Mead, Ale, Seltzer from over 70 breweries! All net proceeds support 40+ nonprofits. Sells out every year! Drink beer, do good! $40 General Admission / $90 VIP. Cheers!

VIP opens at 1pm. Includes specialty & limited beer, food from multiple restaurants, live music from Shift 8 & Tony Demma. General Admission includes unlimited sampling from 60+ breweries, food for purchase, and music by Deja Blu.

Use our code 'BBC' to help us out!

Volunteers of the Month for April-July

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? Please click here.

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 2022 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.

Big Bend Cares | (850) 656-2437 | www.bigbendcares.org

Care Point Health & Wellness Center | (850) 354-8765 | www.carepointwellness.com

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