Join Project Lend-A-Hand

It’s easy to feel despair at the daily bombardment of economic bad news.  Of course, we all feel compassion for those who are struggling, those who have lost their jobs and, with those jobs, their health insurance coverage.  But, when bad news just doesn’t stop coming, it’s too easy to convince ourselves that there’s no way we can possibly make a difference.  

The truth is you CAN make a difference.  Join North Coast Health Ministry’s Project Lend-A-Hand today to “sponsor” one of our uninsured neighbors in need with a portion of the cost of their medical care at one of the following levels:

Neighbor Level:  Your contribution of $70 pays for a chronic care physician visit for one patient.

Friend Level:  Your contribution of $140 pays for a physician visit and follow-up appointment for one patient.

Family Level:  Your contribution of $250 pays for a month's supply of glucose test strips for 25 diabetic patients.

Over 80 percent of North Coast Health Ministry’s low-income uninsured patients have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, hypertension or heart disease.  A lapse in their care or medication can have dire consequences. 

Any of us who have experienced a difficult time in our lives know how impactful a small—or large—gesture of help from someone who cares can be.  Those who have been there know that such help--from family, from friends, from the community--can mean the difference between keeping one’s head above water … or sinking.  The difference between hope and hopelessness.  For an individual with a chronic disease and no way to pay for care, the difference can literally be that between life and death.  

Sincerely,

Lee E. Elmore, Executive Director

Click on one of the options below to join Project Lend-a-Hand and make a difference in the life of a North Coast Health Ministry patient today.

John Griffiths was elected North Coast Health Ministry board chair in January 2009.   John is an owner/administrator of Rae-Ann Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers and has been a member of the North Coast Health Ministry board for 13 years.

New Board Member Additions

Sandy Haas,               All Pro Freight Systems	Kate Joyce, Rae-Ann Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers	Janice Murphy, President, Fairview Hospital

Local Girl Gallery, 16106 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, will be a fashion diva’s mecca on Saturday, April 25, 2009, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for a city Green SmART project where designers will be auctioning off “new” chic sustainable fashions to benefit North Coast Health Ministry.  

The Junk2Funk auction is being organized by business and artist advocates, Lakewood is Art, and Local Girl Gallery, GreenSmart Gifts and EcoLakewood.  Up for auction that evening will be one-of-a-kind fashions created by Northeast Ohio designers from recycled materials.   Up for grabs will be elegant gowns, fun cocktail dresses, unique evening wraps and funky jewelry.

North Coast Health Ministry has partnered with Discount Drug Mart as the exclusive provider of prescription medications for NCHM patients.  Through the arrangement, patients can purchase medications prescribed by a North Coast Health Ministry physician through a co-payment at any Discount Drug Mart store. 

While NCHM works with its patients to enroll them in prescription assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers through which they can receive free or low-cost medications, there are many drugs not included in the manufacturers’ programs.  Often, even for drugs included in the programs, there is a waiting period of a month before a patient can begin receiving free or low-cost medications.  The partnership with Discount Drug Mart will allow patients with an NCHM identification card to access their prescriptions through a $25 co-pay for generic medications or a $50 co-pay for brand-name medications.   If the cost of the prescription is lower than the co-pay, the patient pays the lesser amount.

Hyland Software, Inc. has selected North Coast Health Ministry as a partner agency for its employee volunteer program.  The purpose of Hyland’s newly formalized employee volunteer program is to give back to the communities where company employees live and work by offering paid time off for volunteer work.

North Coast Health Ministry was chosen for the partnership as a local non-profit organization that uses Hyland Software’s OnBase enterprise content management (ECM) software and as an expression of Hyland’s support for NCHM’s mission of providing health care to the low-income uninsured.

“Hyland Software values the vital health care services North Coast Health Ministry provides to uninsured people in our community. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share our software, as well as our employees’ skills and expertise in an effort to support NCHM’s important work,” said A.J. Hyland, President and CEO, Hyland Software, Inc.

Read the full news release here.

North Coast Health Ministry’s 14th Annual Celebration of Caring will be held on Thursday, September 3 at the newly renovated Westwood Country Club from 6:30 until 9 p.m.  The gala evening will feature dinner, cocktails, live and silent auctions and the chance to get together with friends in support of those without health insurance in our community.

Call for Donations

Calling all NCHM supporters for auction donations for Celebration of Caring.  Do you or does your business have access to tickets to sporting events, theatre, or musical performances that you can donate?  Are you or is someone you know an artist that would be willing to donate a work of art?  Do you or does someone you know quilt, knit or make hand-beaded jewelry?  Other great donations include restaurant, salon and spa gift certificates, and themed gift baskets.  Please consider making a donation of any of these items – or any other treasures you may have in mind – to benefit North Coast Health Ministry and its patients.  All donations are tax-deductible. 

Get Involved

Would you like to be part of the Celebration of Caring benefit committee?  Getting involved is a great way to meet people, have fun, and enjoy the good feeling that comes from helping our neighbors in need.

Brian King:

Brian King retired as chairman of the North Coast Health Ministry board of directors in January, after serving in that role since 1999.  He came to the NCHM board in 1992 and served as vice-chair from 1995 until 1999.  North Coast Health Ministry grew substantially under Brian’s leadership, with notable accomplishments being the acquisition and renovation of NCHM’s current building, the hiring of a full-time medical director and the implementation of NCHM’s electronic medical record.

Nancy Geschke, R.N.

Nancy Geschke began her volunteer service with North Coast Health Ministry as a clinical nurse in 1998.  She currently volunteers three mornings per week during morning walk-in clinic.   Patients and staff are the beneficiaries of her efficiency in managing clinic flow, her positive attitude, and her caring and compassion.  In recognition of her outstanding service, she has been designated North Coast Health Ministry’s 2009 United Way Spotlight Volunteer.  

By Susan L. Golden, Ph.D., Community West Foundation

When we were kids, it was fun to spend a summer day at an amusement park. The best part was the thrill of a ride on a roller coaster. Today, however, we’re adults, and the roller coaster of this economy is not fun. This past winter has been a rough one, and what we have been through has taken its toll. How many of us have become reluctant to open our investment statements or read financial headlines?

Although spring is around the corner in terms of temperature, it isn’t clear yet what the future holds in terms of the economy. In this difficult environment, we urge you to stop and think. You need not succumb to the fear that the media promote.

We know your assets may have declined in value – on paper. But you still have assets, and can build for the future now. In addition to making strategic investments for your financial future, we hope you will consider making a philanthropic investment as well. Such an investment will pay huge “dividends.” Research has documented that people who donate money to good causes feel better, live longer, and have greater peace of mind. These are the very real and predictable dividends of generosity.

Celebration of Caring is North Coast Health Ministry’s primary annual fundraiser.  We are seeking corporate and individual sponsors to underwrite the cost of the event.  All sponsors will be recognized prominently in the event program and on event signage, in NCHM’s fall newsletter and in our 2009 annual report.

2009 sponsorship levels:

Caring Sponsor:  $500 (includes two event tickets)

Helping Sponsor:  $1,000 (includes four event tickets)

Supporting Sponsor:  $3,000 (includes 10 event tickets)

Advancing Sponsor:  $6,000 (includes 10 event tickets)

Presenting Sponsor:  $10,000 (includes 12 event tickets)