The 2008 Celebration of Caring was the most successful in North Coast Health Ministry's history, with more than $65,000 raised.  Nearly 250 guests turned out to support the ministry and enjoy live and silent auctions, gift balloons, appetizers, drinks and dinner.  Raffle tickets were sold for a Cleveland Browns loge for 12, donated by Workflow.com, with the winning ticket drawn at the evening's end.

The fundraiser included presentation of NCHM's - 2008 Community Champion Award - to Al and Julie Paulus for their long history of service and support for the organization.

"The purpose of the Community Champion Award," says Lee Elmore, executive director, "is to recognize outstanding and significant contributions by individuals for the betterment of North Coast Health Ministry on a long-term basis and to recognize individuals who have worked to improve access for the uninsured.  Al and Julie were selected based on their sustained history of support for North Coast Health Ministry and their untiring advocacy for the organization.  Our ministry is stronger for their involvement."

Following presentation of the Community Champion Award, guests got to hear a presentation from NCHM patient Armando Ramos, a 29-year-old man who has had Type 1 diabetes since he was a child.  Armando recounted that, due to his family's economic circumstances while he was growing up, his diabetes had never been properly managed.  Armando eventually lost his eyesight as a complication of his disease.  He recently became an NCHM patient, and for the first time in his life, his diabetes is being controlled.  Our social worker helped him access a 'talking' glucose monitor that empowers him to monitor his blood sugar levels and self-manage his condition.  

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, there are 2,000 stories like Armando's every year at North Coast Health Ministry.

Thank you to our Celebration of Caring Sponsors:
Advancing Sponsor
Fairview and Lakewood Hospitals

Supporting Sponsors
Advantage Consulting Services
Ernst & Young
First Federal of Lakewood
Rae-Ann Skilled Nursing
and Rehabilitation Centers
Carol and Charles Rini, Sr.
University Hospitals

SAVE THE DATE!!

Next year's Celebration of Caring will be held on Thursday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m.  Location to be announced. 
Mark your calendars!