SALINAS, CA - John D’Arrigo, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of D’Arrigo Bros. and the members of The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC) presented their largest check to date – $500,500 – to Natividad Medical Foundation (NMF) at the Annual Donor Celebration on Thursday, March 5.

TALC’s gifts will help Natividad purchase medical equipment and provide spiritual care and indigenous interpreting services. TALC, founded by D’Arrigo in 2010, has grown to 134 members and has donated more than $1.67 million total to Natividad. TALC has been honored as the Outstanding Philanthropic Service Organization at 2014's Central Coast’s National Philanthropy Day.

John D’Arrigo said, “We know that by giving to Natividad, we can literally change and save the lives of agricultural workers and their families every day. I think having the Trauma Center at Natividad offers an exciting new opportunity for the whole community to help Natividad in its mission.” 

Mike Haynes, President of The Haynes Charitable Foundation and Cinderella Carpet One, a family-owned, Salinas-based business since 1947, also announced a gift to Natividad of $300,000. A big piece of that gift – $170,000 – goes to TALC.

Haynes said, “As I’ve learned more about Natividad, I’ve seen the great need. I’ve also seen an amazing impact with the money I’ve given through TALC and how it has been spent to help patients.” 

The March 5 event also marked the one year anniversary of NMF’s Indigenous Interpreting+. 

“Indigenous Interpreting+ was launched by Driscoll’s and TALC last year and has already grown from 4 interpreters to more than 200 and from 3 languages to more than 13,” said Linda Ford, President & CEO of Natividad Medical Foundation.

Ford says six indigenous interpreters have completed 6-month paid internships, and two more are currently interning at Natividad.

D'Arrigo