Clinica Verde Meets Phelps Match
Sept. 17, 2009, St. Helena, CA—Clinica Verde, the women’s sustainable health clinic project in Nicaragua, has met Joseph Phelps’ $150,000 matching grant challenge. Phelps personally made the donation to the St. Helena-based nonprofit organization in November 2008 to help the project meet its financial goal for construction.
“To say that Joe’s generosity to our work in Nicaragua is exceptional, is an understatement,” said Clinica Verde founder and chair Susan Dix Lyons. “It’s been pivotal. Joe’s public support of Clinica Verde gave us heft and credibility when we were little more than a dream.” Dix Lyons added that the final leg of the challenge was met thanks to a generous donation made recently by Andy and Betty Beckstoffer of Beckstoffer Vineyards.
The news was announced at a private reception held at Joseph Phelps Vineyards on September 11 for visiting Nicaraguans Cristiana Chamorro and Antonio Lacayo. Cristiana Chamorro, a journalist and daughter of former President Violeta Chamorro, is a member of the board of directors of Clinica Verde. Her husband, Antonio Lacayo, is a businessman and former Chief of Staff to President Violeta Chamorro. Chamorro and Lacayo gave a presention on “Nicaragua and the Politics of Latin America,” followed by a documentary of Clinica Verde’s efforts to bring health and hope to impoverished women and children in Nicaragua.
Clínica Verde is building a new model of care for families in need: a global prototype of an environmentally sustainable health clinic in the department of Boaco, Nicaragua that can be replicated in areas of poverty around the world. The clinic will focus on maternal and infant healthcare, providing a medical home for 4,000 children and 1,500 high-risk pregnant women annually.
The registered nonprofit was founded by Susan Dix Lyons in April of 2007. Since then, Susan, her husband Dr. Tim Lyons, and their Board of Directors have worked tirelessly to raise funds for the clinic and spread the word of the great need for quality health care for those in Nicaragua and beyond. Clinica Verde needs to raise approximately $80,000 more to complete clinic construction. Donations can be made through their website at www.clinicaverde.org, or by mailing a check to Clinica Verde, 109 Camino Vista, St. Helena, CA 94574.
