Salinas, Calif. – On October 17, the Natividad Foundation celebrated its Annual Donor & Hero Award Celebration, honoring the remarkable generosity of its supporters with an evening of entertainment, recognition, and heartfelt gratitude, all dedicated to the Foundation’s mission of enhancing health care in the community. 

One of the evening's standout moments was a historic $600,000 donation from members of The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC), a collective of local agricultural businesses dedicated to supporting the Natividad Foundation. Since its founding in 2010, TALC has raised over $5.1 million for Natividad, providing funding for 705 vital pieces of medical equipment and supporting essential programs, including spiritual care and diabetes prevention education. 

In his remarks, John D’Arrigo, founder of TALC and CEO of D’Arrigo California, stated, “TALC exemplifies how partners and competitors can unite around a common goal. We all recognize the direct link between a well-resourced safety-net hospital and the health of agricultural workers and their families.” 

Natividad Foundation proudly honored five exceptional individuals with its 2024 Hero Awards: Dr. E. Valerie Barnes, Harold W. Keland, Patricia B. Munoz, Dr. John Schatz, and Dr. Marc Tunzi, recognizing their enduring philanthropic support. Each honoree has been a vital contributor to the Foundation for over 26 years. Established in 2008, the Hero Award celebrates individuals and organizations whose significant contributions have been instrumental in helping Natividad fulfill its mission of providing essential healthcare services to everyone in Monterey County. 

The evening included a captivating performance by world-renowned speed painter Amy Burkman, who, in under 10 minutes, crafted a stunning visual tribute to the bond between a NICU nurse and a baby—an homage to the compassionate care Natividad offers its youngest patients. Attendees enjoyed a lively twist with a special edition of “The Price Is Right,” adding a fun and interactive element to the celebration. 

Natividad Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to the generous sponsors whose support made the evening possible: Sturdy Oil, Chevron, Pinnacle Bank, Hartnell College Foundation, TMD Creative, California Water Service, and SSB. Their contributions were crucial to the success of the celebration and the ongoing mission of Natividad. 

To learn more about how you can support the Natividad Foundation and its mission to provide essential healthcare services, visit www.natividadfoundation.org 

About Natividad Foundation
Natividad Foundation’s donors transform health care into healing by developing innovative programs and funding technologically advanced medical equipment to enhance Natividad and support its high-quality care. Established in 1988, Natividad Medical Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. For more information, visit www.natividadfoundation.org 

About Natividad Medical Center
Natividad is a hospital and trauma center providing high-quality health care to everyone in Monterey County, regardless of ability to pay. Located in Salinas, Calif., Natividad is a public health care system offering a wide range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic, and specialty medical care. Learn more at www.natividad.com.