Join Us for Lucas’ party with a purpose
benefiting Winters Healthcare!
Dear Friends,
It was my great pleasure to host my annual Party with a Purpose – this year's purpose being to support our vulnerable community members through Winters Healthcare! Over 250 friends, colleagues and community members joined us at Berryessa Brewing Co. to be in community together, enjoy music by Red Dog Ash, indulge in desserts prepared by Meals on Wheels Yolo County in their Sutter Health Senior Nutrition Center in Winters, and cookies donated by Upper Crust Baking Company, and enjoy a refreshing beverage from Berryessa Brewing Co. and Berryessa Gap Vineyards, all while raising $50,000 to support the vital services of Winters Healthcare.
For 25 years, Winters Healthcare has been a cornerstone of the west Yolo County community by providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare to all who walk through their doors. They proudly offer vital and comprehensive primary care, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health services, all under one roof in their state-of-the-art facilities in Winters and Esparto.
In addition to their 25th anniversary, they celebrate their 20th year as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). FQHCs play a vital role and provide healthcare services to underserved communities, offering care regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Winters Healthcare was selected to be the beneficiary of this year’s Party with a Purpose prior to this current federal administration taking office. In anticipation of the change in leadership, I suspected we would need to be leaning in to supporting our more vulnerable populations. I did not envision the level of support that would be needed.
This federal administration is threatening major cuts to Medicaid benefits and to local community health centers. This will directly impact residents in rural areas of our shared community who depend on health centers such as Winters Healthcare for their medical care. I’m so grateful to partner with the community to support Winters Healthcare in this critical moment.
In his remarks, Winters Healthcare Executive Director Chris Kelsch shared that all of the funds raised at this event are going toward $70,000 in dental equipment they need for Esparto and Winters, including Cavitrons, sterilizers, tools, curing lights and more. There is a lot of need on the west side of Yolo County and they are booking appointments about five months out. Your donations are an investment in dental equipment to serve people on the west side of the County.
Chris also offered a public health message based on data and science: our time together at this event - gathering together, connecting, giving to something greater than ourselves, is the most significant factor for living a longer and a happier life. I’m grateful to all who were able to join us this week.
Thank you hardly seems sufficient, but THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored, attended or donated time and/or money. And a special thank you to our event sponsors.
I also want to give a huge shout out to the Winters Healthcare team, who were a pleasure to collaborate with. Additionally, thank you to my District 2 team, Chief of Staff Tara Thronson and District Representative Emily Ault.
We are grateful and thrilled with our event total, but if you missed the opportunity to support Winters Healthcare, you can still donate by going here:
Click to donate for Winters Healthcare dental supplies!
- Lucas
