Medical Center Open raises $500,000 to benefit Mental Health Program in Gainesville

The Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) Foundation’s Medical Center Open is helping change lives and impact mental health in Gainesville in a big way. The Medical Center Open was held on Thursday, October 6, at Chicopee Woods Golf Course with proceeds from this year’s event – the 30th anniversary of the golf tournament – benefiting the Gainesville Police Department’s Mental Health Co-Responder program.  Originally started with a lead gift from the North Georgia Community Foundation, the Co-Responder program plays a vital role in the Gainesville community, providing support and mental health resources to individuals and their families who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. In these situations, instead of only a police officer responding to a call, a mental health clinician will also respond. This clinician is specially trained to handle situations like this and has already proven to be an asset to the department.  Since 1991, when the inaugural Medical Center Open was held, the event has allowed the NGHS Foundation and area businesses to partner together to support the community initiatives, raising more than $5 million. Proceeds from past events have benefited a variety of projects, including partnerships with Good News Clinics, Gateway Domestic Violence Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier, Georgia Mountain Food Bank and the Hub at Gainesville High School, to name a few.  It’s a cause businesses and individuals within the community believe is worth investing in, year after year. This year’s event included more than 200 participants and 135 sponsors, including premier sponsor Bank of America and long-time sponsor McGarity’s Business Products.  To date, the Medical Center Open has raised more than $500,000, for the Co-Responder program.  To make a donation or learn more about the NGHS Foundation, its events and other ways to give, visit nghs.com/foundation.