By John Lynds
On Wednesday, June 8 (tonight) the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center will hold its Fourth Annual Art of Health Care event at their Maverick Square building starting at 5 p.m.
This year the annual innovative fundraiser to celebrate EBNHC’s mission in the community and the healing impact of art will pay special tribute to Executive Director Emeritus of East Boston APAC John T. White and EBNHC’s Dr. Yhu-Hsiung (“Henry”) Lee, MD for their remarkable contributions to the Eastie community.
Inside its Maverick Square location, EBNHC will incorporate a wide array of vibrant and therapeutic pieces by local artists. Some pieces will be auctioned off to help raise money while others will be showcased during tours of the facility.
Through corporate and private sponsorships, ticket sales, a silent art auction, raffles and other donations the event organizers hope to raise $250,000 for the Health Center’s crucial programs.
“The Art of Health Care event is very important to our Organization,” said EBNHC CEO Manny Lopes. “The Health Center runs some amazing special programs that have huge impact in our community. Examples include our Let’s Get Moving Program, which helps kids and families stay active and fit. Our CATCH Program, which closely coordinates care and activities for medically complex children. Our Project Shine, which coordinates care and does education around HIV.”
Lopes said unfortunately these programs provide levels of support that are not reimbursable, so while critical to EBNHC they are challenging to run.
“Our Art of Health Care event not only lets us show off our great services, but provides funding that is essential to operating programs here at EBNHC,” said Lopes. “We are also very excited to be honoring two individuals this year that have done so much to make our neighborhoods healthy; John White from APAC who is also a former Board member at EBNHC, and Dr. Henry Lee, who has recently retired from our organization after working 46 years in our Emergency Department. We are incredibly appreciative to them and to our event sponsors and for those guests who come to our event.”
Steven Snyder, vice president of marketing and development at EBNHC said the event has become part of an effort to raise awareness and revenue to support essential programs at EBNHC.
“What I love most about our Art of Health Care event is that while it is a fund raiser for the Health Center, it is also just a really great time,” said Snyder. “This year, under the coordination of our good friend Jose Duarte of Taranta Restaurant, we have seven local restaurants that have put together some incredible chef tastings. We also have a really fun raffle and silent auction featuring lots of original art-work. We will have a great Jazz trio band featuring one of ZUMIX’s incredible talents, Omar Sosa – and if guests like their music they will have a chance to bid on a private show on our silent auction.”
Snyder added whether you come for a short visit or stay for the whole evening, “I guarantee you will enjoy the reception and know that it is all for a great cause.”
The annual event, which was launched in 2013 is unique in many ways said Lopes. The event’s first year was the first time the health center held an event for the general public.
“In 2013 we took a chance and invited the public and friends of EBNHC to help support our organization, and quite frankly, we weren’t sure how the response would be,” said Lopes. “We were very humbled and felt quite honored to receive such a great turnout that year and made us confident it would be a yearly success.”
Lopes added it’s great to see our local community and others
A scene from last year’s Art of Health Care event hosted by the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. The 4th Annual event will be held Wednesday, June 8 (tonight) at 5 p.m. at 20 Maverick
Square.
near and far recognize EBNHC great mission and come together to support the health center.