NEWS

CHC Foundation celebrates event sponsors, honors unsung hero

Staff Writer
The Daily Reporter
Guests listened to speakers, enjoyed entertainment and more at the event. Courtesy photo

COLDWATER — Due to the generous support of Dr. Matthew C. Christopher, on Sept. 17 more than 55 community members joined to celebrate at the CHC Foundation Gala Patron Party.

The evening was to thank Gala sponsors and featured delicious appetizers and a bar stocked with Michigan-made wine and craft beer, courtesy of Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub. Guests were entertained by the sounds of Randall Hazelbaker on saxophone, Russel Gates on piano, and John Rucker on drums.  

The honoree of the evening was Theresa Christner, health education and promotion director at the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency.

Christner was honored for writing the grant that enabled the CHC School Tele-health Program to get off the ground and running. In addition to her work on the CHC School Tele-health Program, Christner has written grants that have increased the number of certified Car Seat Passenger Training technicians in the community by 16 and earned more than 500 free car seats for children in the county; offered tobacco reduction efforts; provided navigation services to help residents gain health care coverage; and received a $950,000, five-year grant for a school-linked health clinic in Sturgis.

All this was done while Christner was completing a Community Health Needs Assessment and participating in a five-year, agency-wide strategic planning process.

Christner was honored with a custom-crafted necklace from Kiess Jewelry engraved with: “Because of you, healthier children for generations to come.”  

Thanks to Kiess Jewelry, the Diamond Bar was back by popular demand. Attendees purchased gems for the chance of winning a ½ carat diamond.

The lucky winner was Kathleen Albert, Theresa Christner’s daughter-in-law. In addition, attendees were treated to a fashion show of live auction items.  

The CHC Foundation Board of Directors expressed their gratitude to Matthew C. Christopher, DDS, Amanda Miller, DDS, and Dr. Richard Juhnke, DMD, for making the evening a huge success.

For more information or to make reservations to the CHC Foundation Gala, contact Terra Depew at (517) 279-5414.