Local Businessman / Artist to start up the Estrada Mental Health Foundation.
Local businessman Mark E. Estrada, owner of Alameda Thrifty Pharmacy, is busy putting the final touches of the First Annual Mental Health Awareness Art Show and Sale. The proceeds from the event will go to start up a foundation in an effort to help give good quality care to those who might otherwise not have the means to pay for it.
Growing up in the pharmacy environment, Mark would see how mental health patients struggled and often made sacrifices to get the much needed treatment. He remembers how abuse of public aid programs would limit or completely leave out a good number of patients. So, it has become his mission to find a way to help those in need.
Through the sale of the art pieces, and public donations he hopes to come up with enough funds to start up the not-for-profit foundation, to be able to help as many people as soon as possible. It is a city wide effort and through the collaboration of area artists and visitors to the art exhibit, he knows that the dream is possible. For that goal Mark has pledged a $5,000 donation plus the full amount of money raised from the sale of several of his art pieces. Alameda Thrifty Pharmacy has also pledged a $10,000 donation on behalf of Mr. Miguel B. & Laura A. Estrada.
A private exhibit will be held on Wednesday, May 6 from 7 – 10 p.m., followed by an open to the public exhibit on Thursday, May 7 from 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. The event will take place in the Tea House and Art Gallery, 4910 Alameda, next to Alameda Thrifty Pharmacy (across the street from the Texas Tech School of Medicine). Donations are now being accepted as well as on the day of the event.
For more information, please contact Flor at (915) 772-5331 or Mark at (915) 474-3768.
