Five local non-profit organizations were recognized and awarded "Mini" Community Health Grants at The HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County's annual Gala held on February 9, 2019 event at the LeGrand Center. The annual HealthCare Foundation Gala brings together business and community leaders, benefactors and caregivers to support a variety of healthcare initiatives in our local community. "What's raised here, stays here," as every dollar remains in Cleveland County to improve the health and wellness of our citizens and their families.
"Our annual Gala is our signature fundraiser to support a number of programs, including our Because We Care Fund assisting local cancer patients, the SafeKids Cleveland County program and Community Health Grants to name just a few," said Foundation Executive Director Dick Baker.
As a highlight of this year's event, the Foundation selected five Cleveland County non-profit organizations with health and wellness related missions to be the first recipients of "Mini" Community Health Grants, with each organization receiving a $1,000 grant to continue their mission. The local organizations recognized were:
• Cleveland County Rescue Mission: To support their on-site health clinic which provides health screenings to the homeless and reduces hospital emergency room visits.
• Common Ground Café: Providing nutritious meals based on the "pay what you can" model through pop-up events around the county
• Farmer Foodshare: Collecting and distributing unsold produce each week from the Foothills Farmers' Market and distributing to those in need through 18 different food pantries in the county, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
• Feeding Kids Cleveland County: Providing food boxes and weekend backpacks of food to over 850 students in 5 Cleveland County schools who face food insecurity through no fault of their own.
• Kings Mountain YMCA /LiveStrong Program: A support group assisting those who are living with, through and beyond cancer to regain strength and improve their quality of life.
"Cleveland County is ranked 81st out of 100 counties in North Carolina for healthy outcomes and 89th in longevity," said Baker, adding "The only way we can improve is to work together as a community to tackle these problems." The HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County receives no federal, state, or local government funding and must rely on public and private support to further its mission.
"Our job is to be a catalyst to promote wellness and improve health in Cleveland County," said Baker, adding, "The hope is that by providing these small grants to deserving local non-profit organizations, we can encourage them to continue their important work, while at the same time give them some much deserved public recognition."
The HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County will continue to award similar grants to other Cleveland County non-profits throughout the year that are having a direct impact on improving health and wellness. More information on this and other foundation initiatives can be found on the organization's website: www.healthcarefoundationcc.org
The HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County is a 501-(C)(3) non-profit organization. All gifts are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Pictured left to right: Receiving mini-grants are Kevin Osborne; Executive Director, Kings Mountain YMCA; Larry Hamrick, HealthCare Foundation Board Member; Celeste Burkhardt, Foothills Farmers' Market Representative for Farmer Foodshare; Amber Brown, HealthCare Foundation Board Member; Nancy Hillman, Common Ground Café; Chris Gash, HealthCare Foundation Board Member; Jocelyn Christenbury, Cleveland County Rescue Mission and Kip Smith, HealthCare Foundation Board Member with Dick Baker, HealthCare Foundation Executive Director in the background.

Submitted by
Richard F. (Dick) Baker, Jr.
Executive Director
HealthCare Foundation
of Cleveland County