Crystal Gala: Investing in Holistic Care for Manhattan’s Most Vulnerable
Get ready to make a difference and enjoy an unforgettable evening! The Manhattan Community Health Foundation invites you to our annual Crystal Gala at 6:30 PM on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the K-State Alumni Center. This premier community event directly supports our mission to enhance health and wellness for everyone in Manhattan.
Prepare for an evening of excellent dinner, lively dancing, and an exciting auction, all while supporting a cause that truly matters.
Our Mission in Action: Funding the Flint Hills Community Care Team
The 2026 Crystal Gala fundraising will specifically benefit the Flint Hills Community Care Team (FHCCT). The FHCCT provides person-centered, holistic care to the most vulnerable members of our community. This “wrap-around” model addresses the whole person by focusing on the social determinants of health, such as safe housing, reliable transportation, food, and health insurance.
Our goal is to raise $60,000 to fund the part-time Care Team Coordinator position for three years. This coordinator is the single most critical element for the FHCCT’s success, acting as the “glue” that holds the powerful coalition of approximately 30 community organizations together.
Funding the FHCCT is a direct investment in the hospital’s core values, helping to build a more compassionate and just society for our neighbors in need.
As the Assistant Director of Riley County EMS, I can attest to the vital role the Flint Hills Community Care Team plays in supporting our most vulnerable patients. Our EMS crews frequently respond to individuals whose primary challenges stem not only from medical conditions, but also from barriers to accessing housing, food, mental health, and other essential social services. The Care Team Coordinator serves as the critical link between these patients and the community resources they need to achieve stability and long-term wellness. Through this partnership, patients referred by EMS received timely, coordinated support that reduces repeat 911 calls, emergency department utilization, and hospital readmissions. Continued funding for the coordinator position is essential to maintaining this proven system of collaboration, one that transforms emergency encounters into opportunities for sustained quality of life improvement and more efficient use of community resources.
Joshua Gering
Assistant Director
Riley County EMS
The FHCCT’s proven impact includes:
- Fewer repeat visits to the hospital emergency room.
- Fewer repeat calls to Riley County Emergency Medical Services, reducing taxpayer cost.
- Clients’ needs are met sooner and more efficiently.
Recognizing Community Excellence: The Cornerstone of Community Health Award
During the evening, we will present the Cornerstone of Community Health Award. This award recognizes individuals or families who have demonstrated impactful leadership to promote community health through inspiration, innovation, and collaboration.
Qualities of an award recipient include:
- Investing in Innovative Solutions: Creating or leading a new project or service that addresses a significant health challenge.
- Building Strong Partnerships: Collaborating with local organizations to achieve goals.
- Championing Equitable Healthcare Access: Focusing on improving the health and wellness of underserved or vulnerable populations.
- Catalyst for a Healthier Manhattan: Serving as a role model who motivates others to contribute to a healthier environment.
Why Your Support Matters
The Manhattan Community Health Foundation believes everyone deserves quality healthcare. As a catalyst for a healthier Manhattan, we improve lives by investing in innovative solutions, building strong partnerships, and championing equitable healthcare access for all community members, regardless of background or income.
Thanks to community generosity, we invested more than $160,000 over the last year to improve the health and well-being of our community.
Here’s how your support has made an impact:
- Dispensary of Hope (2024): We made a three-year commitment to bring this vital facility to Manhattan, which opened in October 2024. It provides free, often life-saving medication to low-income, chronically ill community members. Learn more at healthymhk.org/dispensary-of-hope/.
- Healthcare Workforce Development (2025): Our focus last year was on building and sustaining a strong, skilled, and compassionate healthcare workforce. We provided scholarships and grants to aspiring healthcare professionals and current associates seeking to enhance their skills. Learn more at healthymhk.org/scholarship/ascension-via-christi-manhattan-education-scholarship/.
Mark your calendars and join us! Your participation helps us continue to empower healthcare professionals, ensure access to essential services, and support our local healthcare facilities, building a stronger, healthier Manhattan for all.
Prepare for an evening of excellent food, lively dancing, an exciting auction, and a few surprises, all while supporting a cause that truly matters.