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Foundation gala to benefit local community
Entertainment for this year's HealthCare Foundation gala will be provided by The Extraordinaires.

County residents are invited to dine and dance in an intimate evening setting at the HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County's (HFCC) annual gala, set for Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, at the LeGrand Center in Shelby. Now in its fifth year, the 2020 event - "Night in Tuscany" - will include plentiful food, live entertainment and a silent auction.

"Our goal is to bring together business and community leaders, benefactors and caregivers to support a variety of healthcare initiatives in our local community," says HFCC Executive Director Dick Baker. "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."

Gala guests are encouraged to wear festive theme attire, but it is not required.

"We just want the community to attend, have a great time and help us improve health and wellness in Cleveland County," says Baker.

This year's Tuscany-themed gala will feature extravagant festive food stations with accompanying beverages, a silent auction and live music from "The Extraordinaires." There will also be a special recognition of several area non-profit organizations working to improve health and wellness in the community.

Individual tickets for the gala are available for $125 per person, and include admission, dinner and two complimentary beverages. A VIP couple's package is available for $500, and a limited number of sponsor packages are still available. Tickets can be purchased online through the foundation's website,
www.healthcarefoundationcc.org, or by calling 980-487-3586.

"Cleveland County is ranked 80th out of 100 counties in North Carolina for healthy outcomes and 89th in longevity," says Baker. "The only way we can improve is to work together as a community to tackle these problems." HFCC receives no federal, state or local municipality funding and relies on public and private support to further its mission.

In the last five years, the Foundation has awarded more than $313,000 to Cleveland County non-profit organizations and other health initiatives. Among these was a $25,000 community health grant to the Transit Association of Cleveland County in collaboration with Cleveland County and Partners for Health. This grant helped improve access to primary care through the free WE REACH transit route connecting the western part of Shelby to much-needed health and wellness services. "That service is now averaging 18 passengers a day, so we know it is meeting a critical need" said Baker.

A grant funded through the HFCC also led to the Foothills Farmers' Market successful launch of the POP Club program to the community.

"This innovative concept helps connect children to their food sources and introduces them to healthy food choices through activities designed especially for them when they visit the market," says Baker.

Another grant from the Foundation provided mammograms and follow-up for more than 75 at-risk women over the age of 40 in Cleveland County, and yet another provided child car seats to those in need.

"Our job is to be a catalyst to promote wellness and improve health in Cleveland County," says Baker. "The generosity of our community coming together to care for one another is what makes Cleveland County such a special place. We will only be able to continue this vital work through the continued support of our local community."

For more information about the HFCC, visit
www.healthcarefoundationcc.org or contact Baker by phone at 980-487-3787 or by email at
dbaker@HealthCareFoundationCC.org.


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