Neighborhood Healthcare's Capital Campaign for The Gold Family Health Center in Poway, California is on Track

Neighborhood Healthcare, a nonprofit healthcare agency headquartered in Escondido, announced that funding for its new community health center in Poway now totals $2.4 million putting the agency within reach of its $3 million fundraising goal by the summer of 2016. Included in the $2.4 million raised is a $500,000 match from Alan and Debbie Gold that was completed in December of 2015 thanks to hundreds of donors and Molina Healthcare.

Molina Healthcare recently joined the collaborative effort to help build the Gold Family Health Center. As part of the funding provided through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Molina Healthcare contributed $240,000 to the cause which allowed Neighborhood Healthcare to meet the Gold family’s match of $500,000.

“Opening a community health center for low-income residents is well aligned with the ACA’s intent to improve access to care through Medicaid Expansion. We’re pleased to be able to use these funds to support this project,” said J. Mario Molina, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Molina Healthcare. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Neighborhood Healthcare and the future Gold Family Health Center to provide high-quality care to those who need it most in Poway.”

Now with 80 percent of the funds secured to build the center that will be named The Gold Family Health Center, Neighborhood Healthcare is optimistic that the community will rally to raise the remaining $600,000 for the center.

According to Neighborhood Healthcare’s CEO Tracy Ream, construction is estimated to start late spring with The Gold Family Health Center opening late winter of 2016. “This success was possible due to very generous supporters and our dedicated team of volunteers. They educated people about the critical need to have a community health center in the Poway area and asked their friends and others to join them in contributing to the health center,” said CEO Tracy Ream.

“We are especially grateful to Alan and Debbie Gold,” Ream continued, “who have invested in Neighborhood Healthcare’s growth for over a decade. It was their vision to bring a community health center to Poway. They helped us purchase the land and raise needed funds. Alan’s parents lived in Poway for more than 50 years and the center will honor the memory of Martin and Delia Gold.”

“Alan and I are very happy to see that the center will be a reality this year and we want to thank everyone who has given to The Gold Family Health Center. Together we are making sure that every child in Poway and its surrounding communities will be able to see a doctor regardless of their parents’ ability to pay for care,” said Debbie Gold. “If you haven’t given a gift yet,” she added, “we invite you to join us. This is our opportunity to reshape our community for decades to come. This is your opportunity as well,” said Gold.

Strong support for the health center has been evident as local leaders, businesses, service clubs, nonprofit organizations and various places of worship provided letters of support stating they welcomed “a new health center that would provide children, adults and seniors in the Poway area an affordable and convenient place to receive primary medical care.”

Danny Sherlock President /CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego wrote, “Poway is one of the few local cities without a community health center, though nearly 5,000 local children qualify for school lunch, hundreds of households receive food stamps, and there are many pockets of poverty – both visible and less visible. Many parents do not have a local doctor who will care for their child, especially in light of the reduction of available private health care providers willing to accommodate individuals and families with public health insurance. As a result, parents take their children to the local emergency room which is a costly and ineffective way to provide primary care.”

Additional organizations that endorse the Gold Family Health Center include Pomerado Hospital, The City of Poway, Community Housing Works, BioMed Realty, Rotary Club of Poway - Scripps, The Friendship Circle, Chabad of Poway, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, The Elizabeth Hospice, Intergenerational Council North San Diego County, and Newman’s Sports Bar & Grill.

According to Connie Burke, Neighborhood Healthcare’s Director of Philanthropy and Communications, the campaign was the largest in the organization’s history when it was launched. The employees of both Neighborhood Healthcare and Alan Gold’s company BioMed Realty played a significant role in fueling the healthcare organization’s philanthropic efforts.

Burke added that over 260 gifts received were given directly from staff and leadership at the two organizations. In addition, a capital campaign committee of volunteers provided the leadership and momentum needed to reach the $3 million goal.

“When we first started asking individuals to serve on our steering committee, it seemed that everyone we asked was already committed and busy helping another cause close to their hearts yet they still said ‘Yes, we will help.’ We weren’t surprised because we know how generous they are and at the same time we were very grateful they would choose to help us because there are so many worthy causes in need of support,” said Burke.

“We are proud to recognize our steering committee members Bill and Angie Bailey, Fred Baranowski, Pauline Getz, Alan and Debbie Gold, Poway’s Deputy Mayor Dave Grosch, former Poway Mayor Don Higginson, Gary and Maxine Kreitzer, John and Annie Massab, Sandra Nooe, Dr. Rakesh Patel, Dr. James Schultz, and Johnny and Donna Watson for their friendship and leadership,” Burke added.

Johnny Watson, Neighborhood Healthcare’s Board President who also serves as Chair of the Capital Campaign Steering Committee noted that every donation is important. “Every donation counts and we are especially grateful to the hundreds of individuals and companies giving. By November 2015 we raised more than $260,000 toward the Gold’s $500,000 match and were grateful for Molina Healthcare’s $240,000 donation that enabled us to meet the $500,000 challenge match,” said Watson.

Future fundraisers planned for the Gold Family Health Center include the 2016 Mickey Cafagna Golf Tournament that is being hosted by the Poway Chamber of Commerce. It is being held on Friday, March 4th at noon at the Maderas Golf Course. Poway Chamber member Dan Meyer said his company, EDCO Waste & Recycling, Inc. is one of the proud sponsors of the upcoming tournament. “We can’t think of a better cause to support than the Gold Family Health Center. My wife is a teacher in Poway and she sees the need first hand on a weekly basis,” said Meyer.

Proceeds from the 18th Annual Pace Setter Gala being held on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Orfila Vineyards in Escondido will benefit the Gold Family Health Center and Neighborhood Healthcare’s Unfunded Care fund for patients in need. BioMed Realty returns as the proud title sponsor for the seventh consecutive year. “Gary and Maxine Kreitzer who were honored in 2014 as Neighborhood Healthcare’s Volunteers of the Year are quiet supporters of Neighborhood who happen to deliver big results,” said Burke. “They have faithfully served on Neighborhood Healthcare’s Pace Setter Gala for 18 years helping to raise more than $2 million dollars to help kids and adults get life-saving healthcare. They were also very instrumental in raising funds for the Gold Family Health Center.” said Burke.

“This summer’s Pace Setter Gala will be a fun party and big celebration to thank everyone for caring about a cause that is so important to Maxine and me,” said Gary Kreitzer, BioMed Realty Executive Vice President and Director.

“Please join us,” Kreitzer added, “and provide a generous sponsorship for the gala this year. You will have a great time and meet like-minded people who care about making our community a healthier place for all of our neighbors.” If you are interested in contributing to upcoming fundraisers for the center and/or becoming a member of The Friends of the Gold Family Health Center, please call Connie Burke at 760-520-8365 or visit www.nhcare.org for more details. “We want both our long-term supporters and new friends to feel a sense of ownership when the Gold Family Health Center opens. Stay tuned regarding a grand opening to celebrate,” added Ream.