Cap-to-Cap 2016 Presenting Sponsor, Sutter Health believes it’s crucial to give back to the communities in which we live. To this end, during the 46th Annual Cap-to-Cap program, Sutter wanted to help give two Cap-to-Cap attendees the opportunity to make a positive difference in their communities. With the help of Metro Chamber staff, two chairs were randomly marked in the auditorium at the Gala, held the last night of Cap-to-Cap. Sitting in those marked chairs were El Dorado County Supervisor Shiva Frentzen and Larry Burkhardt, Economic Development Director for the City of Sacramento. James Conforti, President, Sutter Health Valley Area presented them each with a check for $2,500 to donate to non-profit of their choice.
Larry Burkhardt chose Wind Youth Services (Wind). Established in 1994, Wind has passionately served the Sacramento Community for over 20 years. Wind works with youth experiencing homeless in areas such as housing/shelter, mental health programs and therapeutic support, HIV/STI awareness, educational and employment attainment, street outreach, and youth empowerment workshops. Wind works with youth experiencing homelessness between the ages of 12-24. It is the only agency in Sacramento with the sole mission to work directly with youth experiencing homelessness and currently operates the area’s only emergency shelters for runaway, homeless and street youth as well a drop-in center for youth experiencing homelessness. Throughout 2015 Wind served 915 individual youth, with nearly 10,000 visits to our drop-in center.
Supervisor Frentzen chose the Food Bank of El Dorado County. The Food Bank of El Dorado County provides food assistance on a daily basis, in partnership with more than 40 local emergency food response agency sites, including battered women’s shelters, senior centers, local food pantries, under privileged youth programs, youth shelters, soup kitchens, maternity homes and more. The Food Bank is a collaborative network of local charities. When contributions are made to the Food Bank of EDC, that donation helps multiple non-profit establishments throughout El Dorado County. The labor force at the Food Bank of EDC is almost all volunteer based, which is why local volunteers are so vital to the mission of the food bank, as savings in payroll is primarily used to provide more food relieve. Efficiency is of high importance, as every penny saved can go to helping those in need.
While 3,000 miles from home, the Capital Region remained the focus of Cap-to-Cap attendees during the program. It was a great feeling in the room when Sutter Health surprised Supervisor Frentzen and Larry Burkhardt with the opportunity to support causes they believe in. By promoting positive actions, no matter how big or small, we can help transform a community for the better.
