June 9, 2021 – Throughout COVID-19, Azria Health has not only provided great care to our residents, but we have also witnessed first-hand the hard work and dedication of the many healthcare professionals in our local hospitals and other care settings. As fellow members on the continuum of care, it is inspiring to see all the caregivers on the frontlines sacrificing daily to ensure the best care possible for our residents. We wanted to express our gratitude, so we launched Cruise for a Cause, an initiative that raised over $10,000 for the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
After local community member, Bob Johnson, tragically passed away from COVID-19 in December of 2020, we wanted to do something in his memory that would honor our healthcare heroes.
We decided that making a donation to the hospital where Bob received care would be the best way to show our appreciation to the medical staff for their efforts to treat Bob. Never content with mere talk, our team sprung into action, launching an epic fundraising event where all proceeds would be donated to UNMC.
Our first challenge was organizing a fundraiser that would be fun for all participants while safe and socially distanced. After putting our heads together, we came up with an idea for a friendly competition in which all participants could remain inside their own vehicles for the duration of the event.
And, that’s how Cruise for a Cause was born.
Partnering with Columbus Motor Company, Azria Health held our first annual Cruise for a Cause on March 27th, 2021. With the entire community cheering them on, participants had to drive to the following four designated locations: Overtime Sports Bar & Grill in Fullerton, Azria Health Central City in Central City, Highway 30 Tavern in Silver Creek, and Genoa Tavern in Genoa. At each location, there was an outdoor check-in where our drivers had to scan a QR code. After checking into all four stops, participants were entered into a raffle featuring exciting prizes such as Jeep parts, free oil changes, and Visa gift cards!
Participants were given the choice of taking one of two routes to the specified destinations – a highway route or an off-road, rough terrain path, which required drivers to lock their vehicles into four-wheel drive.
“Giving back to our community is so important to us at Azria Health,” said Carrie Ramaekers, Vice President of Operations at Azria Health. “We felt that this fundraiser was the perfect opportunity to safely rally our community together and help support healthcare workers.”
Emphasizing that giving back is a core company value, Azria Health contributed $1,000 worth of live auction items as well an additional $1,000 to the cause.
After an action-packed, fun-filled day, our amazing community raised a total of $10,019.68 for University of Nebraska Medical Center’s COVID-19 relief fund!
“We are so grateful for this opportunity to give back to our community as well as our healthcare heroes and to honor the memory of Bob Johnson” said Katie Swantek, Regional Director of Talent Acquisitions.
This incredible fundraiser would not have happened without the help of many generous and caring individuals.
Azria Health would especially like to thank the following people for going above and beyond to ensure Cruise for a Cause was a smashing success.
Thank you to Dave Whalen and the Columbus Motor Company team for sponsoring the event, which included providing three Jeeps so our Azria Health team could participate in the cruise, and donating fabulous prizes, such as Jeep parts and free oil changes.
We would also like to thank Jaysen Melcher with Titan Ag Solutions for donating Visa gift cards and covering the costs of the evening meal at the last stop of our fundraiser. And, thank you, Bryan Molt with Seed Elite, for sponsoring the paper products for our meal at Overtime on Saturday night.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible. We are so grateful to all who participated and showed their support.
We couldn’t have done it without you!
To view the event page (including winners of the draws), please visit https://www.azriahealth.com/cruise-for-a-cause-2021/.
More pictures from the event:
