Over $880,000 Donated to Natividad Medical Foundation at Annual Event

Funds will support violence and injury prevention programs of the Natividad Trauma Center, medical equipment and other basic needs

Salinas, CA (March, 2015) – Linda Ford, President & CEO of Natividad Medical Foundation, says, “What a wonderful celebration tonight! The Agricultural Leadership Council reached another milestone this year, we’ve raised $750,000 for Natividad Trauma Center’s CHOICE violence intervention and prevention program, and The Haynes Charitable Foundation surprised us with a $300,000 gift that will help us meet the most basic needs of Natividad’s patients.”

John D’Arrigo, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of CA, presented The Agricultural Leadership Council’s largest check to date – $500,500 – to help Natividad purchase medical equipment and provide spiritual care and indigenous interpreting services. The March 5 event marked the one year anniversary of NMF’s Indigenous Interpreting+. TALC, founded by D’Arrigo in 2010, has grown to 134 members and has donated more than $1.67 million to Natividad.

Mike Haynes, President of The Haynes Charitable Foundation and Cinderella Carpet One, a family-owned, Salinas-based business since 1947, also announced a gift to Natividad of $300,000. A big piece of that gift – $170,000 – goes to TALC, and the additional $130,000 from Haynes will support the child sexual abuse clinic, “TraumaMan” simulation training equipment, Child Passenger Seat certification by Safe Kids and the Patient Greatest Needs Fund.

Five Monterey County organizations – Building Healthy Communities-East Salinas, The California Endowment; Community Alliance for Safety and Peace (CASP); Four Cities for Peace (4C4P); Monterey County Administrative Office, Office of Community Engagement and Advocacy; and the Seaside Blue Ribbon Panel – were honored as the 2015 NMF Hero Award recipients for their contributions to continually improving the health status of the people of Monterey County.

The event also featured the introduction of the new hospital-linked violence intervention and prevention program of the Natividad Trauma Center – CHOICE – designed to promote positive alternatives to violence to reduce retaliation and re-injury among youth and young adults injured by violence. Gary Gray, DO, Interim CEO at Natividad says, “CHOICE is unique in the nation, because they are providing peer intervention specialists 24/7. They can get to the bedside within 15 minutes. That’s important, because they can reach a lot more young people during the very brief ‘teachable moment’ after a violent injury.”

Barnet Segal Charitable Trust’s William Brodsley and Stu Berman surprised the crowd with the announcement of a $250,000 grant to NMF for CHOICE program participants’ mental health needs. NMC’s Chief of Psychiatry and Monterey County Behavioral Health Medical Director, David Soskin, MD, noted, “The impact of violent trauma can last a lifetime. The grant from the Barnet Segal Charitable Trust will allow us to address the need for a clinician who has specialty training in the assessment and treatment of childhood trauma for victims of violence enrolled in CHOICE.” CHOICE was launched in January with funds from the Claire Giannini Fund and the City of Salinas CalGRIP grant, and the program has already enrolled 14 young victims of violence.

Manny González, Assistant County Administrative Officer, Office of Community Engagement & Advocacy said, “I am humbled to be recognized along with a group of people and community organizations throughout the County who are working diligently to reduce violence in our communities.”

The evening also featured the unveiling of the new Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association (MBPAPA) exhibition, “Plein Air Art: Healing Waters – Calming Seas”. The 67 paintings in the show depict the various moods of the Monterey Bay waters. This year, 30% of the proceeds of painting sales donated by the artists support Chaplains at Natividad Medical Center. MBPAPA was recognized as one of Monterey County Arts Council’s 2014 “Champions of the Arts”.

Event sponsors included Comerica Bank and SSB Construction.

About Natividad Medical Foundation
Natividad Medical Foundation philanthropically supports the programs and services of Natividad Medical Center, a safety net hospital in Salinas, California. Natividad Medical Foundation is passionate about raising funds to support access to healthcare for babies, children and families in the community, regardless of their ability to pay. Established in 1988, Natividad Medical Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. For more information, visit www.natividadfoundation.org.

About Natividad Medical Center
Natividad Medical Center is a 172-bed acute care hospital owned and operated by Monterey County. As the safety-net hospital providing healthcare to the residents of Monterey County for over 129 years, Natividad provides healthcare access to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital operates with a medical staff of over 300 physicians and has several specialty clinics and outpatient primary care clinics operated by the Monterey County Health Department. Natividad Medical Center is a Level II Trauma Center providing the immediate availability of specialized personnel, equipment, and services to treat the most severe and critical injuries.