Jack Taylor's Alexandria Toyota showroom was once again the site of the annual Cinco de Mayo fundraiser and silent auction benefitting Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, which used the May 12 occasion to recognize CareFirst for its financial support in awarding a $96,500 grant to help increase access to dental care for uninsured patients.

“CareFirst deserves a lot of credit for their generosity in providing almost $100,000 to help provide dental care to lower income adults and especially children,” said U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8), who was on hand as a ceremonial check was presented to ANSHI executive director Kristin Langlykkle and board chair Gene Kendall. “This will make an enormous difference in the community and will be tremendously well used.”

The grant will support ANSHI's Dental Care Access Collaborative Service in a partnership between the Alexandria Health Department and the Arlington County Department of Human Services. It will provide approximately 768 hours per year of a dentist and dental assistant and support the program's operational costs at ANSHI's Arlington Dental site.

“We all know how critical dental care is,” said Langlykke, who will step down from ANSHI at the end of June. “This grant will allow more than 900 men, women and children, some seeing a dentist for the first time, access to oral health care.”

In attendance at the event were Del. Charniele Herring (D-46), Del. David Englin (D-45) and Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille.

“Year after year Jack Taylor has opened up his showroom for ANSHI and that speaks volumes about his generosity,” said Euille in recognizing Taylor's longtime support of the organization. “And what tonight really shows is how much we are a family in this community and only want the best for our children.”