Meals on Wheels of Sarasota hosts March for Meals campaign kick-off event at Sarasota Yacht Club
Sarasota – January 25, 2019 – Each year, Meals on Wheels organizations across the nation unite in an annual fundraising campaign, March For Meals to benefit local programs. Meals on Wheels of Sarasota has planned a breakfast event to kick off “March for Meals” to support homebound seniors, veterans, children and families in need in Sarasota. The event takes place on Friday, March 1, 2019, at 7:30 a.m. at the Sarasota Yacht Club. Dr. Christine Cauffield, CEO of Lutheran Services, Florida Health Systems is the featured guest speaker. Open to the public, guests will learn about the impact of hunger and isolation and how to support efforts that benefit and strengthen our entire community.
“We serve a silent group in Sarasota and are thrilled that Dr. Cauffield will be here to give a voice to this issue,” said Marjorie Broughton, Meals on Wheels of Sarasota Executive Director. “This event will help raise awareness and funds for residents who struggle with hunger by ensuring that we can continue to deliver healthy meals throughout our community.”
Dr. Christine Cauffield has served as President and CEO of organizations providing integrated health services for children through seniors, including a corporation that provides in-patient, acute psychiatric care to seniors in crisis. She received her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology and completed her Internship and Post-Doctoral Residency at Harvard Medical School, where she specialized in geriatric neuropsychology. She currently is CEO of LSF Health Systems, the Managing Entity comprised of 50 Behavioral Health Care organizations that span a 23-county region in North Central and Northeast Florida. The network serves more than 150,000 clients annually with a budget of $140 million.
Dr. Cauffield serves on the Executive Committees of Florida Council on Aging, Brain Injury Association of Florida and Smart Justice of Florida. Dr. Cauffield is a Leadership Florida alumna. Dr. Cauffield has written book chapters on senior behavioral health issues in addition to numerous articles. She has appeared on CNN Nightly News, ABC Prime Time, AP Press, and several national and international media. Her clinical expertise includes substance abuse, trauma recovery, grief and loss issues, integrated health, and brain disease/disorders in the elderly. Dr. Cauffield’s proven track record of management success has resulted in several company turn-arounds. Additionally, her vision and strategic planning allow organizational growth and expansion, with innovative clinical programs. She has developed national Best-Practice models that include in-home care, out-patient, inpatient and acute care hospital-based units. Dr. Cauffield has successfully integrated healthcare services that encompass both urban and rural community settings. She is a passionate healthcare advocate and is adept at working with local, state and national governmental officials to champion policy and funding initiatives. Dr. Cauffield incorporates philanthropic fund-raising and effectively engages the communities she serves.
At Meals on Wheels of Sarasota, 540 volunteers help prepare, pack, and deliver heart healthy meals, six days a week, year-round, using their own vehicles and gas. Meals on Wheels clients, who range in age from 4 to 103, receive meals because they are physically or mentally impaired, and unable to prepare meals or go to a food pantry or grocery store.
RBC Wealth Management is the presenting sponsor of the breakfast event. Additional sponsors include Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Jim Hastings and Ralph Hall, Band, Gates & Dramis, P.L., Key Culinary Tours, Thompson, Taylor & Vernon Enterprises, and Wilde Automotive. Media sponsors include The Observer Group and Sarasota Magazine.
Tickets start at $36, and sponsorships are available. For more information visit the events page at www.mealsonwheelsofsarasota.org/events.html, email info@mealsonwheelsofsarasota.org or call 941-366-6693.