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Providing healing and hope to underinsured and uninsured persons |
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Newsletter for |
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MedsHelp at the Free Clinic Opens Bedford Satellite Office With a $32,000 grant from the Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF), the Free Clinic of Central Virginia has opened a satellite office for its MedsHelp Program in the City of Bedford this past January. Bedford was selected as the first off-site office for this program due to 1) the fact that they were "cut out" of the MedsHelp Program in 2003 due to financial restraints, 2) the fact that there are many potential 18-64 clients for this program in both the county and city of Bedford, 3) the fact that there was not a comparable medication assistance program operating in this geographic area, and 4) the fifty mile plus round trip for Bedford residents to get assistance in Lynchburg. The office is staffed by a Medication Access Caseworker on Mondays and Fridays from 9 AM-1 PM at St. John's Episcopal Church at 314 North Bridge Street. The hours will be expanded as the volume of needy clients increases; the phone number is 540-586-3636. The program is a partnership with the Bedford Ministerial Association, Bedford Social Services, Bedford Christian Ministries, the Bedford Christian Free Clinic and a number of other human service providers in the city and county. If the program demonstrates success, funding for the program can be renewed by VHCF in 2007. |
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Ralph Kiger and Elisabeth Forsyth Recognized At a reception at the Free Clinic following the Loft Tour on February 25, the following individuals were recognized: Ralph Kiger and Elisabeth Forsyth. Both of these people gave liberally of their personal resources to help serve the uninsured and underinsured in Central Virginia. Ralph Kiger's name was added to the Free Clinic's "In Memoriam" plaque, which honors volunteers who gave 12 or more years of service to the Free Clinic. Ralph Kiger actually volunteered his valuable time for 18 years in the Free
Clinic's pharmacy helping to fill prescription requests. He did this with a sense of humor, a feeling of responsibility, and a caring for others. He never said "no" to helping others. Ethel Lloyd, sister, and Sandi and Jim Kiger, sister-in-law and brother accepted this
honor as representatives of Bonnie Kiger, Ralph's wife, who was unable to attend due to a Mission Trip. Elisabeth M. Forsyth quietly donated her financial assistance to the Free Clinic a number of times. She gave $10,000 to the FC building purchase fund in 1992; She "rescued" the MedsHelp Program with $50,000 in 2001; She donated $10,000 to the Free Clinic operating budget in 2002. She made a number of other annual donations to support medical, dental, and pharmaceutical care for underserved Central Virginians. A plaque in recognition of her support has been placed in the lobby of the Free Clinic. Nancy Forsyth Walker accepted this award for her mother on behalf of herself and her sisters, Elsie Chambers and Betty Harris. Both of these honorees gave of themselves to help others. We appreciate them! |
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Breast Cancer Education Program Continues A $20,000 grant from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and a $5,000 grant from the Genworth Financial Foundation will |
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Delta Dental, Plymale & Burruss Foundation Grants In November and December 2005, the Free Clinic was fortunate to receive grants from three notable foundations, which have provided assistance in previous years. |
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Greater Lynchburg Community Trust Award
The Free Clinic received a new award of $10,000 from the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust (GLCT) to support the on-going expenses of the daytime dental program. The Virginia Health Care Foundation Grant under which this program started will not be renewed after June 2006. It will become the responsibility of the Free Clinic to locate local funding sources to maintain this crucial service for indigent persons. The GLCT has "stepped forward" to help the Free Clinic meet this challenge! The funds within the Community Trust tapped for this gift included: The Rosalind and John L. Denney Fund, The Sackett-Graves Fund, The Frances Cortwright Stowers Fund, The Kenneth L. and Bertha S. White Fund, and the Jeff and Sandra Wilson Fund. |
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New Staff Members Jo-Ann Johnson & Ashley Milstead
As previously reported, Ashley Milstead (right) was hired as the part-time daytime dental assistant in late September 2005. In November 2005, Shelley Edwards (left) succeeded Georgia Delbridge as the Special Events/Development Coordinator. She had previously served as a part-time front office worker at the clinic and a full-time library administrator in Indiana. She also attended college in both Indiana and Kentucky. In December 2005, Sylvia Kent-Goodman, a long term volunteer and very part-time substitute officially joined the regular staff as a regular part-time front office worker. In January 2006, Jo-Ann Johnson, also a long-term volunteer and very part-time front office worker accepted the full-time position of Administrative Assistant/Receptionist. |
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From the Heart As I leave the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, Inc., having served as the
1. This is a staff and board that truly care for the people with whom they come in contact. Included are patients, volunteers, interns work study students, staff, cleaning crew, parking attendant, etc. This is a staff and board that never says, "It's not my job description," thus pitching in where qualified and whenever needed, including but not limited to special event fundraisers. Are they perfect? No! Do they ever forget why they are there? NEVER! I can guarantee that! 2. This is a community that truly cares for their neighbors in need. Keeping our donor database, I am humbled by the generosity of all of you! I hope you will continue to remember the hard work this staff, board, and volunteers do to provide health care, dental care, and pharmaceutical care to those without resources. You are needed and will continue to be needed as more and more people find themselves under or uninsured. Please continue to help! Georgia Delbridge |
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11th Annual L.A.I.F.A. Golf Tournament (Benefiting the Free Clinic) Date: Wednesday, May 10 |
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VHCF Honors Drs. Petticolas & Riley
The actual recognition will take place at a banquet at the Marriott Hotel in Richmond on April 27. The awards will be presented by Governor Tim Kaine in front of dignitaries from Richmond and throughout the Commonwealth. The award also entitles the Free Clinic to a $2,000 grant from the Virginia Association of Health Plans. Dr. Petticolas is a founder and original member of the Free Clinic's Board of Directors. He recruited dentist volunteers, used equipment, and started the Dental Services at the Free Clinic in the late 1980's. In recent years, he has continued to volunteer regularly, remains involved on the Board of Directors, and he has helped the clinic to secure grants for NEW dental equipment. Dr. Riley and his family have a strong commitment to the Free Clinic. Both his brother, Dr. David, and his son, Dr. Jeffrey, also volunteer at the Free Clinic. When a grant came in to the clinic to initiate a daytime dental services program, Dr. Riley single handedly recruited 20 volunteers (now up to 30) to serve as Mentors/Professors for the VCU School of Dentistry senior student ex terns. These are two caring, humane individuals, who are actively leading a dental team of 50 or more dentists and 25 other dental providers in volunteering at the Free Clinic. They are two persons with foresight, who have enabled the clinic to expand its patient load from 300-400 per year to over 2,000 per year. Even now, they are working on an expansion program to provide services to 4,000 per year. The $2,000 prize money from this HONOR will be used to help "kick off a $125,000 campaign to build three new dental operatories at the clinic. |
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Dental Expansion Campaign As many Free Clinic supporters are aware, the Free Clinic has received notice that it is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from Centra Health Foundation to equip an expansion of the number of dental operatories (chairs) from three to six in 2006. This planned expansion will enable the Free Clinic to serve TWICE as many patients in the daytime dental program. However, in order to complete the construction work (plumbing, electrical, walls, etc), we must raise $125,000 in additional funds by July 2006. The Free Clinic raised $150,000 in a special campaign in 1992 to buy the current downtown building. It has served us well! Watch for the OPPORTUNITY to participate in another "giant step forward" in the care of the uninsured and underinsured in Central Virginia. The "FROM THREE TO SIX FOR TWICE THE CARE" Campaign will begin soon! |
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Volunteers Needed
Contact Mr. Barlow @ 847-5866 |
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DID YOU KNOW EVERY $1 DONATED to the FREE CLINIC in 2005 PROVIDED $8 in medical, dental, and/or pharmaceutical services to Central Virginians! |
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FUTURE EVENT Friday Cheers |
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PLEASE HELP The Free Clinic Needs Your Financial
Gifts. |
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enable the Free Clinic to continue its Breast Cancer Education Program through March 2007. This program was initiated in February 2004 with a $50,000 grant from the Susan B. Komen Foundation, and it was renewed at a reduced amount of $15,000 in 2005.
honor the unselfish work of Drs. Augustus Petticolas and Dr. William Riley at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia with Commonwealth of Virginia's "UNSUNG HEROES AWARDS". These two men
have been the "guiding lights" and leaders of the team for the expansion of dental services for the uninsured and underinsured at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia over the past four years.