at Columbia United Providers is to promote wellness and coordinate access to quality health care in our community. Our dedicated staff not only takes great pride in their daily work responsibilities but generously volunteer their personal time to participate in many non-profit organizations. The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington, American Diabetes Association and Susan G. Komen Foundation are a few of the programs we sponsor. If you are interested in volunteering or joining Team CUP please contact Shannon Kelley at (360) 449-8946. Thank you!
What Non-profit(s) Do You Support?
By Shannon Kelley
The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington is a wonderful local non-profit that is
always in need of donations and volunteers.
If you’ve ever been without health insurance you know how worrisome it is. The
mission of the Free Clinic is to provide and facilitate access to free,
compassionate, quality health care for children and adults who are otherwise
unable to access such services.
Here are a couple ideas you can implement at your company to help the Free
Clinic:
Mini Silent Auctions…During the last nine months we have held 12 mini silent auctions. So far our
silent auction donations have totaled $1,426.50 to the Free Clinic!
Employees bring new and gently used items to the office. The items are displayed
on several tables and bid sheets are placed next to each item. We send out a few
e-mail reminders including a final call thirty minutes prior to closing. 50% to
100% of the proceeds are donated to the Free Clinic. If you are interested in
implementing silent auctions in your office, contact me at
skelley@cuphealth.com or call (360)
449-8868. I’ll forward our e-mail templates so you can easily implement silent
auctions in your office.
CUP’s Mini Market…Sean our Security Architect makes regular trips to Costco on his own time. Sean
purchases popular items like chips, candy bars, popcorn, vitamin water, instant
oatmeal, gum, mints, etc. Everything is $1.00. We have a large container and
count on the honor system for payment. Another employee is responsible for
collecting, counting and tracking the funds. We started the Mini Market on
October 1st 2008 and in six months the profits (donations) have
added up to $491.00!
Dessert Auction…On December 10, 2008 we held a Dessert Auction during lunch. Several CUP
employees baked up a storm, a few others purchased desserts. A lot of us enjoyed
out-bidding each other and we raised $1,139.00 for the Free Clinic!
Naomi’s Vermont Spice Cake with maple frosting and toasted pecans went for the
highest bid, A few volunteers organized the whole event by making posters,
sending out an e-mail, displaying the items and collecting the funds.
Every $1.00 to the Free Clinic makes a difference. If you want to find out
about the great work the Free Clinic is doing go to their website at
www.freeclinics.org
Events:
Vancouver Farmers Market
Located on 8th and Esther Street
Now through November 1, 2009 Rain or Shine
Saturday 9 – 3
Sunday 10 – 3
For more details:
www.vancouverfarmersmarket.com
Saturday, May 2, 2009 – 18th Annual Walk/Run for the Animals
Esther Short Park in Downtown Vancouver
Registration: 7:30 am
For more details:
www.southwesthumane.org
Saturday, May 16, 2009 – Dozer Day
11 – 5
CEMEX – Fisher Quarry just north of SR-14 on Exit 10
Advance tickets available at Riverview Community Bank, IQ Credit Union, First
Independent Bank, and online at
www.nutterFoundation.org
Friday, June 5, 2009 - 5th Annual Free Clinic Golf Tournament
Royal Oaks Country Club
For more details: www.freeclinics.org
Saturday, October 10, 2009 – American Diabetes Association Walk
Nautilus World Headquarters – Vancouver, WA.For more details: www.diabetes.org
Community Programs & Local Events
Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes
For other local events visit:
http://www.cityofvancouver.us/calendar