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Providing healing and hope to the working poor |
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Newsletter for |
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The fall 2003 Newsletter is dedicated to Rev. Dr. Robert "Bob" Wilson, retired Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Dr. John "Jack" Scudder, Jr., retired Professor of Philosophy at Lynchburg College, who has each served 16 years as a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Free Clinic of Central Virginia. Their tireless and energetic work on behalf of the Board and its committees has assisted greatly in the growth of the clinic's services and reputation. The fact that they both continue to give of their time to assist the working poor in Central Virginia is a great advantage to our community. THANK YOU BOB & JACK!!!!!! |
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The Free Clinic held its annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on June 18 at the home of Anne & Bob Barlow. Catering was completed by the Barlows and a local restaurant. Honored with the Libba Hughes Award, which recognizes long-term volunteer service at the Free Clinic, were Bernard "Bert" Eisler and Jo Ann Johnson. Both of these individuals have participated continuously and actively for over 15 years as lay volunteers. Libba Hughes and Robert Barlow, Executive Director presented the awards to the recipients. Recognized with the Karen Goodwin Volunteering Excellence Award for "steadfast medical service and extraordinary dedication to Free Clinic patients" were: Sam A. Ripley, R.N. - Johnson Health Center; Piedmont Eye Center, Inc.; Timberlake Family Practice; and Central Virginia Orthopedics. This individual and these staffs have gone above and beyond the call of duty to provide service to the "working poor" in Central Virginia. Finally, five, ten, and fifteen-year service awards were announced and distributed to the many assembled volunteers. Over 450 Physicians, Dentists, Pharmacists, other medical/dental personnel, and lay persons contribute thousands of volunteer hours of their time to provide the needed services at the Clinic. |
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On May 29, 2003, the Free Clinic participated in the fourth annual United Way Day of Caring. Participating in five different teams (three from Sweet Briar College, one from First National Bank, and one from Nationwide Insurance), the 20 volunteers contributed over 60 hours of work to help the clinic move forward. The workers washed walls and windows, cut brush, cleaned up an alley, sorted and alphabetized drugs, and pressure washed the building exterior. Their work "saved the budget" over $600. Thanks to all who participated in this day. |
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In late June, the Free Clinic was notified that it would be a benefactor of the Helen E. Yoder Charitable Trust. Miss Yoder was employed for many years as a secretary with the Mead Corporation, and she was a devoted member of Rivermont Presbyterian Church. She died on May 28, 2003 at the age of 92. The endowed fund will be approximately $50,000, and it should provide an expendable income of $2,000 - $4,000 per year. The Free Clinic staff and Board are very appreciative of this "on-going" donation to assist with medical/dental services for the "working poor". |
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AREA COMPANIES GIVE TO THE CLINIC The Free Clinic has received several "gifts in kind" from four Virginia companies in the past few months. GE Financial Assurance on Main Street (formerly First Colony) made its second major donation of office furniture early in the summer. This was followed in July by a generous $2,000 office furniture donation from ANTHEM Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Richmond. The Renaissance Theatre on Commerce Street donated sixteen chairs for the waiting room in August. Finally, StarMark Cabinets in Lynchburg has recently donated kitchen cabinets to be installed by volunteer, Jerry Mitchell, in a new staff kitchen at the clinic. |
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Several of our summer 2003 interns and volunteers have completed and/or are completing a period of service at the Free Clinic. Denise Willis, RPH and third year Physician Assistant student at the Eastern Virginia Medical College, completed her seven-week tenure with us on July 23. Ms. Willis thoroughly enjoyed her work under the tutelage of Melanie Smith, F.N.P. She also established the first of many Health Screening Fairs scheduled for the Jubilee Family Center. Ella Cashwell, Medical Assistant intern, and Adia Desotell, Pharmacy Technician intern, from the National Business College, finished their assignments in late July/ early August. They will make OUTSTANDING employees for someone in Central Virginia. Four student volunteers departed in August to return to school: Karla Maslow, rising Junior at Virginia Tech, Elizabeth Johnson, rising senior at St. Catherine's School, T.C. Foster, rising Junior at Elon College, and Kelly Mayer, rising sophomore at UVA. They all made strong contributions during the summer months. Megan Willis, a rising sophomore at RMWC, who volunteered with us through the summer, will remain as a volunteer during the 2003-2004 school year. |
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The Free Clinic is very fortunate to have many exceptional volunteers from the medical community who volunteer on a regular basis AT the clinic. The sincere gratitude of the patients and staff members is extended to everyone who has given their time to help others. The list below is an effort to "highlight" those who have served at the clinic the first seven months in 2003. If you volunteered and we have inadvertently omitted your name, we apologize. Please notify us of our error.
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The Free Clinic asks your support at the following events in the months ahead. We will be either raising funds ourselves and/or receiving direct support from the event income at the following venues:
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The Free Clinic Needs Your Financial
Gifts. |
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