Health First Foundation President Michael Seeley: Brevard Needs You Now – More Than Ever

SEELEY: The past year has been fraught with worry for many

Charities that thrive on helping others face challenges to fund their missions. Now is our chance to help our friends, families and neighbors through giving.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Life can change in an instant. 2020 has made that abundantly clear.

The past year has been fraught with worry for many. We’ve watched with concern, our hearts breaking, as we’ve seen people affected by COVID-19.

We’ve watched business owners be forced to make tough choices – gut-wrenching decisions that not only hurt their livelihoods but those of their dedicated employees. We’ve seen providers, nurses, first responders and other clinical staff grappling with how physically and emotionally taxing this pandemic has been.

Things are improving, but people are still struggling. People we know and for whom we care. Our families. Our friends. Our neighbors. Many feel helpless, forced to deal with the reality of still entirely new challenges.

That’s where charities usually fill the gap.

But they’re feeling it, too. The galas, auctions, 5Ks, golf tournaments, and other social events that raise funds to help have been significantly altered or put on hold. Nonprofits dedicated to assisting others need our help themselves to continue their mission.

Now, more than ever is our chance — a chance to offer help to others in Brevard who sorely need it.

Some are fortunate enough not to know these struggles. Before the pandemic, our economy was bustling. The stock market saw record highs and has since returned to record levels. Market investors have more appreciated assets than ever before – assets that can be used for charitable giving. And despite fears of a decline in the housing market, home values have skyrocketed.

At the same time, needs across the county continue to grow as well. There are people right here in our community who are being forced to make tough decisions. Which bills they can (or can’t) afford to pay.

How to help their children with online schooling, all while trying to juggle their own workloads (if they are fortunate enough to be employed). How to navigate the stress, depression and hardships that come with the uncertainty that lies ahead.

At Health First, the selfless desire to serve the people of Brevard is strong. We’ve partnered with other organizations to help those who are aching for normalcy.

We’ve teamed up with Promise of Brevard to provide COVID-19 vaccinations for their medically vulnerable residents. We’ve partnered with Brevard Health Alliance to provide healthcare to the medically underserved. And as a community not-for-profit healthcare system, we never turn anyone seeking medical care away, no matter their financial situation.

But this isn’t about compelling you to give to our Foundation. Simply, it’s about compelling you to give.

Give to a cause that’s in need – and close to your heart. Give to provide struggling families a fighting chance. Give because they’re our neighbors. Give because when we all band together, we make our already beautiful community better.

Give because we are Brevard. And in Brevard, we take care of our own.

To find out more about the Health First Foundation, including its most recent Donor Impact Report, visit HF.org/Ways_to-Help

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