Nursing Students to Throw Fundraising Party For Community Health Center

On Aug. 5, four nursing students will collaborate with and Neighborhood Healthcare to hold a daylong bowling party benefitting the future Martin and Delia Gold Health Center. That nonprofit health center will be located in Poway and serve those living and working in the north inland corridor of North County.

Minette Abelgas, Brittany Ball, Candace Bussjaeger and Sandra Morin all participate in the nursing program at National University. Planning a charitable event is a part of their course work, and all four women are excited for the chance to help raise funds to build the new Poway health center that will serve 7,500 patients in its first year.

“I relied on a community health center from the time my daughter was born until she was 5 years old,” said Candace Buccjaeger, one of the nursing students. She continued, “I know from first-hand experience the great care people get and how important it is to have access to a local nonprofit center. I’m proud that I can be part of a group helping to raise funds for the future Poway health center.”

The bowling event is a perfect fit for the fundraising efforts, as Martin and Delia Gold used take their children to Poway Fun Bowl for regular bowling outings.

Ken Ritch, operations manager for Poway Fun Bowl, looks forward to the opportunity to give back to the community.

“The health center will be located practically across the street from us. We understand the great need for this community resource, and as a former nurse, I know there are many families who can’t afford the high cost of health insurance,” said Ritch.

“Neighborhood Healthcare can depend on Poway Fun Bowl to help make the center a dream come true and to be great neighbors. We hope everyone in Poway and the surrounding areas will come out on Aug. 5 and make this a success,” Ritch added.

The event will provide fun for all, including opportunity drawings, food donated from local restaurants, billiards, a mechanical bull-riding contest and, of course, bowling. Tickets are $20 per person ($14 for children) and include two games and shoe rentals. Fifty percent of bowling fees go back to the Poway health center.

Tickets can be pre-purchased through Poway Fun Bowl by calling 858-748-9110 and will also be available at the door. Additional activities including pool and bull-riding have separate costs and will give 50-70 percent of proceeds back to the charity. If you are unable to attend but would like to support the nurses and the health center, please visit nhcare.org to make a donation.

Guests attending the fundraiser will have an opportunity to learn more about the Martin and Delia Gold Health Center and create a lasting legacy by purchasing a brick with a personal message that will be part of the health center.

This fundraiser is part of a $3 million capital campaign that is underway to raise funds necessary to build the nonprofit community health center that will serve those living and working in the North Inland Corridor. To date, more than $650,000 has been raised.

-Courtesy Neighborhood Healthcare