Howard Community Healthcare Foundation Receives $350,000 from a Federal Appropriation

Willits, CA January 29, 2010 – U.S. Representative Mike Thompson’s office announced that the Howard Community Healthcare Foundation (HCHF) has received a $350,000 federal appropriation that will be used to offset construction expenses for the new Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital & Healthcare Campus. The allocation is among a larger federal disbursement and is part of an omnibus package combining multiple appropriations bills.

This marks the second year in a row that the HCHF has received appropriations funding bringing the total amount received to $538,100.  All funds will go directly to the Hospital Building Fund.  These monies are part of the federal government’s effort to invest in the nation’s future.

HCHF’s primary focus is the receiving of funds raised for the new hospital facility.  These funds are separate from the general operating budget of the Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital and the Frank R. Howard Foundation.  HCHF is the fund-receiving arm for the new hospital facility.

“The recent events in Haiti, and closer to home in Eureka, should serve as a reminder of how important preparedness is when dealing with earthquakes,” said Congressman Thompson.  “This funding will be used to help the hospital meet California’s seismic compliance requirements and enable the hospital to continue providing access to health care services in Mendocino County.  We need to continue to invest in our infrastructure, not only to prepare us for the worst, but also to create good jobs and ensure that everyone has access to quality, affordable health care.”

Margie Handley, President of the Howard Foundation states, “We are extremely grateful to Congressman Thompson and his entire staff for their help in securing federal dollars for our project.”   Fund Development Coordinator for the HCHF, Ian Fitzpatrick explains, “We are submitting another application for the next round of appropriations and we are hopeful for another positive outcome.  In addition, we have been monitoring the disbursement of dollars from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) as we feel the new hospital campus falls within the requirements for funding.”

Seabiscuit’s Legacy Art Auction and Benefit

The Seabiscuit Heritage and The Frank R.Howard Foundation Present:
Seabiscuit’s Legacy ART EXHIBITION & BENEFIT AUCTION

The  Seabiscuit Legacy Art Exhibition and Auction, a benefit for Seabiscuit Heritage and Howard Foundation in celebration of fine art and the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit – scheduled on May 22, 2010 at the champion’s home, Ridgewood Ranch, Willits, California.

Willits, CA, January 14, 2010 — The Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation and The Frank R. Howard Foundation with the support of the Arts Council of Mendocino, launches a call to artists to participate in a premiere art event scheduled on May 22, 2010.  ‘May the World Never Forget the Magnificent Seabiscuit.’

Seabiscuit’s Legacy art exhibit and benefit auction will feature art depicting the legacy of the Great American horse racing icon in a variety of styles and media.  More than 500 community artists have been invited to participate and their work will be featured at a silent and live auction to help raise money for the new Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital Building Fund and the preservation efforts of the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation.   Many of the historic buildings built by Seabiscuit’s owner, and founding donor of Howard Memorial Hospital, C.S. Howard, still remain and are in urgent need of repair.  The Howard Foundation is raising funds for a new state-of-the art hospital in Willits.

“The theme is Seabiscuit’s Legacy,” says Jacqueline Cooper, a representative of the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation.   “Artwork, will include, but is not limited to an equestrian theme.  Works can include the paintings of the oak woodlands, old-growth Redwood groves, and the landscapes that constitute Seabiscuit’s legacy.  Seabiscuit’s stud barn, Howard Memorial Hospital and other historic structures in our community would be very appropriate.”

Each participating individual is invited to create their impression of the horses’ legacy, with approximately four months to create their personal interpretation.  There are two categories of participation:  Seabiscuit’s Legacy or other select, finished artworks artists may wish to contribute.

Participation in the Seabiscuit Art Exhibit & Benefit Auction will include work from members of the Arts Council of Mendocino County.  Community artists are especially encouraged to participate. There is no entry fee, but those who wish to be included, are invited to return their artworks to the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation Office by the submission deadline of May 7.  Those participating have the option to retain a commission of the auction price or donate the full proceeds to the event.  For more information or to request an artist’s contract, contact seabiscuit@instawave.net or call 707 459-5992.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation to honor our shared history,” says Ian Fitzpatrick of the Frank R. Howard Foundation.  “We also look forward to collaborating with Mendocino County artists to put on an outstanding event where all parties benefit.”

Special thanks to Anna Kvinsland, Executive Director of the Arts Council of Mendocino County and Gary Martin, Director of the Willits Chapter for their guidance and support with this project.

The Seabiscuit Heritage and the Howard Foundation will host the Art Exhibit, Dinner & Benefit Auction on Saturday, May 22 from 6:00pm – 9:30pm at Ridgewood Ranch in Willits. This event is by reservation only and will feature live music, dinner and refreshments. The general public can purchase tickets in advance for the Seabiscuit Art Show & Benefit Auction by contacting 707-459-5992 or seabiscuit@instawave.net for more information.

You like contests? We got a contest!

Mendo Mill and Mendo Lake Credit Union have teamed up for a holiday charitable campaign.  North County residents who contribute $10 or more to Mendocino County charities between now and Christmas Eve will receive a $10 gift card from Mendo Mill.  Bring in the receipt from your charitable donation to any Mendo Mill store.  Cashiers will issue a free $10 gift card, no purchase necessary, limit one card per individual.

What a great way to leverage your local donations! Many folks are using the gift card as gift for the holidays as a stocking stuffer or donating them back to another local charity that could use supplies from Mendo Mill ie Commonwealth Gardens, Willits Kids Club, Willits Senior Center, Willits Food Bank, etc. For example, if you make a $10 donation to the Howard Foundation and turn around and donate your gift card to another local charity then you are actually donating $20! Double your money! If we have a couple hundred donors take advantage of this promotion then we can all really pitch in to create a WIN-WIN situation for our community.

You can make a secure donation HERE.   Print your receipt to give to Mendo Mill,you may also mail in a check or give us a call at 459-3047.

We are going to provide you with a small incentive to get the most of your local charitable dollars with a special drawing.

Each person that donates $10 or more through December 24 will go into a drawing. The prize is a gift basket of Howard Foundation items including 2 Mendocino County bottles of wine (or sparkling cider), 2 wine glasses that are etched with the HMH logo along with the Mendocino County Wine Commission ogo, a Howard Foundation “We Believe in the Possible” T-shirt, Howard Foundation Cookbook and License Plate Holder. The drawing will be held on Monday, December 28.

Thank you for your continued support and for taking advantage of such a great promotion from Mendo Mill and Mendo Lake Credit Union.

Click HERE to make your donation and enter contest!

COMMONWEALTH Gardens Update

As 2009 comes to a close, we’d would like to take this opportunity to report on what has been accomplished at the garden site to date: Fencing around the entire 8-acre garden site,drilling and development of a solar well, an 8 x 10 ft. pumphouse (will also serve as tool storage shed), orchard planted (over 50 fruit and nut trees in addition to several types ofberries), and cover crop seed planted (the day before the first good rainfall).

A heartfelt thank you goes to Brian and Ellen Bartholomew who donated the seed to cover the 3+ acre vegetable planting area, and to John Ford and Brian Shuster who allowed us to use the seeder (John.s) and tractor (Brian.s).  Many thanks go to those for their kind donations: Sanhedrin Nursery, Cold CreekCompost, Sparetime Supply, Kathryn Green, Keith Johnson, John Schadeck, Roy Branson, Chamberlain CreekWork Crew, those who continue to send in monetary doantions, and to the many volunteers who gave of their time planting and watering the orchard.

Where to from here? Next season we.ll focus on building more garden infrastructure (irrigation system, greenhouse, pathways, gazebo), as well as continue to build soil fertility by continuing to plant additional cover crops.

If you would like to volunteer materials, time, etc., to COMMONWEALTH Gardens, you can reach Ananda Johnson at 707 459-2777. It is always deeply appreciated and very much needed.

Mendo Lake Credit Union and Mendo Mill Team Up

One of the reasons that our community is so special is that our local businesses always step up to help.

Even in tough times.

Mendo Mill and Mendo Lake Credit Union have teamed up for a holiday charitable campaign.  North County residents who contribute $10 or more to Mendocino County charities between now and Christmas Eve will receive a $10 gift card from Mendo Mill.  Bring in the receipt from your charitable donation to any Mendo Mill store.  Cashiers will issue a free $10 gift card, no purchase necessary, limit one card per individual.

For more details click here:

http://mendomill.com/index.php/gifts-for-givers?3c4d66ed0f56f50ff03035b9f171ace7=d7ecc5744e43e82a5d2c166b6c5cca62

Many folks are using the gift card as gift for the holidays as a stocking stuffer or donating them back to another charity that could use supplies from Mendo Mill.  This is an effective way to leverage your charitable dollars.

If you choose the Howard Foundation as your charity then you can make a secure donation online  (print your receipt and give to Mendo Mill) or give us a call.  Keep your eyes open for other fundraising possibilities.

Thanks to Mendo Mill and Mendo Lake Credit Union for working together on behalf of our community!

Thank you for your continued support.

Wine and Mushroom Train Success!

On Saturday, November 7th, the Frank R. Howard Foundation hosted the Wine & Mushroom Train, which was the headline event for the 2009 Mendocino County Wine & Mushroom Fest running November 6-15, 2009.  More than 150 patrons were aboard the Skunk Train for a majestic trip through the redwoods to Camp Mendocino.  The event was a great success with proceeds going directly to the Howard Hospital Building Fund and was a collaboration of many organizations working together to achieve results that benefited everyone involved.

Guests began arriving at the Willits Skunk Train Depot at 9 am and were treated to an array of coffee, tea and pastries from Kemmy’s Katering and Pies. The Skunk Train, which donated the use of the train for the day, departed at 10:30 am and headed deep into the heart of the redwoods. Train Singer, Greg Schindel, serenaded guests as they moved from car to car, including the observation deck where they were able to take in the beautiful autumn day.  Upon arrival at Camp Mendocino, an intimate room with a fireplace ablaze, hosted the silent auction and wine tasting served by several Mendocino County Wineries that included: Chance Creek Vineyards, CORO Mendocino, Dunnewood Vineyards, Handley Cellars, Jaxon Keys Winery, Magnanimus Wine Group, McFadden Vineyard, Parducci Wine Cellars, and Weibel Family Vineyards & Winery.

The lunch menu, which was inspired by Chef and Author Jack Czarnecki, was prepared and served by Chef Oscar of the Phantom Café.  During lunch, guests were treated to live music provided by “The Bassics”, along with messages from Foundation President, Margie Handley, local mushroom expert Eric Schramm, Dr. Bruce Andich and Jack Czarnecki.

An all-volunteer committee planned and executed the event from beginning to end.  Brenda Orenstein, Cassandra Andich, Karine Bennett, Ananda Johnson, Margie Handley, Jann Lamprich, Erin Fitzpatrick and Joyce Beard made sure that everything flowed as smoothly as possible.  Another team of volunteers helped to ensure that all guests were taken care of on the day of and consisted of Patsy Broeske, Dona Fridae, Kristen Meadows, Ginny Holmen, Jennifer Ramming, Holly Madrigal, Emily Rose Hennings, Wendy Walsh, Maureen Moore, Gary Martin and Chuck and Carol Jones.  Steve Eberhard volunteered his time to take pictures that will be used for future publicity.  The staff at Camp Mendocino bent over backwards to make sure that all needs were met on site.  The Wineries involved had the opportunity to show why Mendocino County Wines quality reputation continues to grow.  Visit Mendocino County, Inc and the Mendocino County Lodging Association provided funds that were used to underwrite many of the expenses associated.

“We are very pleased to have been able to work with so many different organizations from Mendocino County and we feel that everyone was able to benefit by working together.  In addition to many local people we had attendees from places as far as Canada, Oregon, Florida and Washington, DC.  We were able to tell the story of the new Howard Hospital to a wider audience and succeeded in expanding our donor base,” explains Ian Fitzpatrick of the Howard Foundation. “We’d like to thank all of the people and organizations that participated in the event, and we would especially like to thank our guests who chose to spend the day with us.”

For complete details on the festival please vist GoMendo.com

Thank You!

The Frank R. Howard Foundation’s Signature Event “Down the Home Stretch” was a great success.  On October 10th, the Willits Community Center was transformed into an elegant venue where all guests were able to enjoy a classy event.  This lovely fall evening had it all…a live and silent auction, wines, ales, sparkling ciders, tapas-style appetizers, music, dancing and an opportunity to offer support for the new hospital.  The event would not have been possible without the work of a group of committed volunteers.

We’d like to thank committee chair Linda Buletti, along with her team, Donna Stropes, Roxanne Lemos-Neese, Linda McEntire, Gail Richards, Ginny Holmen, Judy Donaldson, Jolene Carrillo, Louise Holsten, Dona Fridae and Gary Martin as they organized the event from beginning to end.  This committed group of people put in countless hours of time and energy to make the evening possible.  A big thank you also goes to our sponsors who helped underwrite much of the expense associated with the event:  Sparetime Supply, Howard Memorial Hospital, Adventist Health and Northern Aggregates/Mendocino Construction Services.

The food was an absolute delight and was provided by Kilkenny’s Kitchen along with local preparers, Ann Alumbaugh, Dana Lewis, Dorothy Roediger, Kathryn Sterngold, Linda Relin, Sulin Bell, Hellagood Desserts, Kathleen Lewis and Howard Memorial Hospital.  The evening’s entertainment provided by The Bassics was timeless.  Thanks also to Hal Wagenet of Modern Music Sound Services for providing sound and lighting, The Shifters for helping with parking, Ron Greystar Photography for taking such amazing photos, our auctioneer Voris Brumfield who did a fantastic job with our live auction and to the staff at the City of Willits who provided remarkable support. We are also grateful to the dozens of volunteers, local businesses and wineries that made valuable contributions of time, money and merchandise that made the event a success.

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to all the members of our community as you continue to keep the dream alive with your unwavering support. Here at the Howard Foundation, we are extremely grateful and we can’t wait to celebrate together when we cut the ribbon for the new Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital!

COMMONWEALTH Gardens

COMMONWEALTH Gardens (CG) are an additional, unique aspect of the new Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital & Healthcare Campus.  CG will be a model of sustainable gardening that will provide organic food and a place for rejuvenation within a hospital setting.    The goals for CG are:

1.    To provide a venue in which the relationship between the growth and consumption of food and overall wellness can be properly viewed (demonstration garden).
2.    To provide locally grown whole food (produce) for consumption by patients and staff of Howard Memorial Hospital.
3.    To consistently supply those established feeding programs in the community of Willits (Senior Center and Our Daily Bread) with produce for use in their kitchens.
4.    To engage the community, with specific attention to the school system, through workshops and living classroom experiences.

The eight-acre garden site, which includes a Healing Knoll, is fenced and one well has already been drilled at the site.  Solar panels and a solar pump have been secured.

CG was developed by a volunteer committee whose members have personal experience in teaching gardening and farming.  In addition, local certified organic gardeners and farmers who are running successful organic gardens and farms were interviewed. Committee members are experienced professionals who individually have years of experience in organic gardening. They have run CSAs, Farmers Markets, and school gardens, built structures using alternative building methods and materials, and taught classes using organic gardening methods. Committee members have studied and taught perma-culture, bio-intensive gardening, and biodynamic gardening.

The garden will be utilized as an educational facility for the community as well as a practical means of producing the hospital’s fruit and vegetable requirements.  Features of this effort include the following:

•    Garden Walk

The pathways will traverse the perimeter and center of the vegetable garden, and the crest and bottom of the healing knoll.  They will be built using crushed granite (water permeable) with a binder in order to meet ADA regulations. The goal for the pathway is that all may come and visit both the produce garden and the healing knoll, to provide solace and retreat for patients and their families and/or visitors while at the hospital.

•    Education

Being the first “green” rural hospital site in the country, and one with a certified organic garden, the hospital garden committee recognizes the educational possibilities which include these:

o    Re-establishing the connection between healthy food and healthy bodies;
o    Maximizing nutrient content in the soil for the crops produced;
o    Increasing emotional well-being through a contemplative garden design;
o    Maintaining the garden as a sustainable system;
o    Using local, regional, or microclimate growing techniques.

•    Tours and Demonstrations

The self-guided garden tour will allow visitors to move through the garden easily on pathways with many places to sit and observe, learn and relax. There will be informative signage to identify vegetables and herbs, their origins and uses with details about the various gardening techniques, composting methods and natural building techniques utilized. In-depth, educational tours may be scheduled with volunteer staff members for those wanting to learn more.

CG will continually recruit volunteers and give those volunteers the opportunity to learn hands-on gardening skills via instruction and through caring for the garden.  There will be volunteer days held weekly for local community members and organizations who would like to take part and actively get involved in the project.  As well, an accredited sustainable agriculture internship program for local high school and college students will be developed.  There will be senior and children’s gardening clubs that will meet and volunteer in the garden regularly.  A handicapped gardening program will be developed that will be a service based learning environment where the handicapped volunteers would have the opportunity of running the farm stand.  This program is for the people and by the people in need of special services.  A garden-mentoring program that will provide one-on-one or small group learning experiences will be available through a volunteer time program.

A Day at the Races

“A Day at the Races Part II:  The Bedpan Strikes Back” was held  Saturday, August 15, 2009.    This “fun for the whole family” summer evening event had it all covered . . . food, live music, a kid’s zone, informational booths, and the bed races.  The hospital bed races served as the cornerstone of the event with each team eligible for prizes and recognition. Contests ranged from the best-decorated bed to teams that raised the most money by collecting sponsorships and donations.

A sincere thank you to our teams:  Sherwood Valley Rancheria and Casino, Willits Lion’s Club, HMH – Med Surg, Sparetime Suppy, HMH – Misfits, Willits Rotary Club, HMH – Dietary, Shanachie Pub, Willits Soroptimist and Main Street Music and Video.

Food was being catered by Kemmy’s Smokehouse BBQ Shack with the Willits Lion’s Club handling all refreshments (soda, water and beer). The Boy Scouts were on hand with their “Monkey Bridge” for kids of all ages to enjoy.  Ms. Tina dazzled the crowd with her dynamic hula hoop performances.

Each team consisted of five people each and raced two teams at a time on the Haehl Creek Drive “track.”  This was a single elimination event with each winning team moving onto the next round and continuing until there was a winner who can claimed, “The Bedpan of Champions” trophy.  Congratulations to this year’s winner, Sparetime Supply who narrowly defeated the defending champions, Misfits from HMH, in a heated final.

A unique twist to this year’s event was that each ticket purchased went into a drawing for a signed Eric Clapton guitar, a Corona CA, Black Custom Stratocaster mix copy of which he played since the Jimi Hendrix days.

Check out our Facebook page for pictures and details!

Signature Event

The Frank R. Howard Foundation’s Signature Event “Down the Home Stretch” was a great success. On October 10th, the Willits Community Center was transformed into an elegant venue where all guests were able to enjoy a classy event. This lovely fall evening had it all…a live and silent auction, wines, ales, sparkling ciders, tapas-style appetizers, music, dancing and an opportunity to offer support for the new hospital.

The event would not have been possible without the work of a group of committed volunteers. We’d like to thank committee chair Linda Buletti, along with her team, Donna Stropes, Roxanne Lemos-Neese, Linda McEntire, Gail Richards, Ginny Holmen, Judy Donaldson, Jolene Carrillo, Louise Holsten, Dona Fridae and Gary Martin as they organized the event from beginning to end. This committed group of people put in countless hours of time and energy to make the evening possible. A big thank you also goes to our sponsors who helped underwrite much of the expense associated with the event: Sparetime Supply, Howard Memorial Hospital, Adventist Health and Northern Aggregates/Mendocino Construction Services.

The food was an absolute delight and was provided by Kilkenny’s Kitchen along with local preparers, Ann Alumbaugh, Dana Lewis, Dorothy Roediger, Kathryn Sterngold, Linda Relin, Sulin Bell, Hellagood Desserts, Kathleen Lewis and Howard Memorial Hospital. The evening’s entertainment provided by The Bassics was timeless. Thanks also to Hal Wagenet of Modern Music Sound Services for providing sound and lighting, The Shifters for helping with parking, Ron Greystar Photography for taking such amazing photos, our auctioneer Voris Brumfield who did a fantastic job with our live auction and to the staff at the City of Willits who provided remarkable support. We are also grateful to the dozens of volunteers, local businesses and wineries that made valuable contributions of time, money and merchandise that made the event a success.

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to all the members of our community as you continue to keep the dream alive with your unwavering support. Here at the Howard Foundation, we are extremely grateful and we can’t wait to celebrate together when we cut the ribbon for the new Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital!

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