Wheeler’s 35th Annual Golf Classic, Presented by Mutual of America Financial Group, Raises $45,000 to Support Basic Needs Fund for Community Health Center Patients
Wheeler’s 35th Annual Golf Classic, presented by Mutual of America Financial Group at the Country Club of Farmington, looked a little bit different this year with safety precautions, but the near-capacity commitment of more than 75 golfers, as well as supporters, volunteers, and friends to Wheeler’s mission and vision, remained as steadfast as ever. The September 16th in-person event raised $45,000 to support Wheeler’s Basic Needs Fund and patients at its community health centers, bringing the total amount raised to more than $1.2 million since the event’s inception in 1986.
“In the middle of this pandemic—and an opioid crisis that is only increasing as people are isolated and cut off from supports, employment, and a normal world—we are seeing an unprecedented need for our services,” said Sabrina Trocchi, Ph.D., MPA, president, and chief executive officer, Wheeler. “Without our donors and supporters, we cannot meet these community needs. We are so grateful to our sponsors, golfers, friends, and volunteers, whose support makes a tremendous difference in the lives of the individuals and families we serve.
“This year, proceeds from our event support our Basic Needs Fund, which addresses the needs of our community health center patients, from food and transportation to child care, housing, and more,” Trocchi said. “By helping to address factors that interfere with patients’ health and well-being—in ways not addressed by other means of funding—we are helping to further improve health outcomes for individuals and communities,” Trocchi added.
Wheeler’s 35th Annual Golf Classic was made possible by a number of local businesses, including Title Sponsor, Mutual of America Financial Group; Platinum Dinner Sponsor, People’s United Bank; Platinum Logo Sponsor, The Manafort Family Foundation; Golf Cart Sponsor, Loureiro; Lunch Sponsor, Gibbs; Beverage Cart Sponsor, GO, and Golf Ball Sponsor, OneDigital. Additionally, the event was supported by Karl Krapek, Putting Contest Sponsor, and Practice Range Sponsor, Whittlesey, as well as members of the 2020 Champion’s Circle, Barnes Group, Inc., Brown & Brown, Inc., and Laurie and Bill Torres. Land Rover of Hartford was the event Hole in One Sponsor, and Sanditz Travel Management was the Grand Prize Sponsor. Numerous additional sponsors also provided support. A full list can be found here.
Wheeler’s Basic Needs Fund
Wheeler’s Basic Needs Fund addresses a range of environmental and social factors that interfere with a patient’s health and well-being, but which are not addressed by other means of funding. This fund allows the organization’s community health workers to address environmental conditions in homes, neighborhoods, and communities of Family Health & Wellness Center patients, which might lead to poor health outcomes. It also provides resources to address basic needs such as food, transportation, clothing, shelter, medications, or other items or activities that cannot be accessed through a patient’s own resources and/or community-based programs.
Wheeler’s Annual Golf Classic
The Wheeler Annual Golf Classic was founded by a group of business leaders and top companies in 1986 to raise money for behavioral health and community-based services for children and adolescents. Some of the original supporters remain involved today, including McPhee Electric and Tollman Spring Company.
Proceeds from past Golf Classic events have helped Wheeler address emergent community needs such as ensuring access to integrated primary and behavioral health services in underserved communities, child abuse prevention and providing a state-of-the-art learning environment for students with emotional and behavioral challenges.
Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Centers
Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Centers in Bristol, Hartford, New Britain, Waterbury, and most recently, Plainville, offer integrated primary care and behavioral health care, addiction treatment, and complementary approaches to care.
Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Centers in Bristol, New Britain, Hartford, and Plainville are funded in part by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Wheeler is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n).
Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial health insurance welcome. No patient will be denied health care services due to an individual’s inability to pay for services. Improvements to the Family Health & Wellness Center in Hartford are supported in part by the State of Connecticut Nonprofit Grant Program, the Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, the Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, and the Ensworth Charitable Foundation. Additional support is provided by Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation.
Wheeler
Wheeler provides comprehensive solutions that address complex health issues, providing individuals, families, and communities with accessible, innovative care that encourages health, recovery, and growth at all stages of life. Our integrated approach to primary and behavioral health, education, and recovery creates measurable results, positive outcomes, and hopeful tomorrows for more than 30,000 individuals across Connecticut each year. Learn more: www.wheelerclinic.org