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March 2008
Dear Friends,
Courage! It is defined as “the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful, instead of withdrawing from it; the quality of being fearless or brave” according to the Webster Dictionary.
Well that’s what I think it must feel like to “have to” walk through any nonprofit’s doors looking for help.
Community Health Free Clinic is a nonprofit - supported by the community - to be the advocate for those that have the courage to walk in. I am shocked and sad that the brochure that I just saw published by the United Way in the spring of 2007 says, “An estimated 42,000 individuals within Linn County are living in poverty or considered ‘working poor’.” WOW!
Most of us feel we that we live in a comfortably affluent community. But we know at CHFC that 78% of the services we provide are to persons making less than $15,000 per year; 23 % of the services are provided to patients who have no income. With over 20,000 patient charts, it is very real to us that many folks have to rely on us for the most basic medical care.
Our challenge is in the recruitment of providers, for the primary care clinics, the specialty clinics, plus dental and eye clinics, so everyone can be seen and have their needs met to the best of our ability. We can not do this without the amazing support of our community. We pass on your generosity to those in need! It is not for us to judge, but to help.
This past month a 47 year old lady came in with abdominal pain. With testing we found a carcinoma of the colon. As I write this letter, I remember that yesterday a report came thru that a 22 year old male with arm pain has a lesion on his ulna and will need a needle biopsy. We are amazed at the need we see here.
We held our first Saturday Clinic with fourteen patients seeking care. The University of Iowa Mobile students signed up to be our volunteers along with some faculty medical doctors! Another great venture to provide care on Saturdays! In time we must open our doors every Saturday for acute illness that arise on the week-end and for those patients that work and can’t get in Monday thru Friday.
We need your help. Please network to recruit volunteers. Ask your organizations and churches if they would like a tour and hear our story. We have lots of opportunities for you to experience the very special feeling of making a huge difference in people’s lives. And please make a personal gift.
I’ve mentioned in the past we send three appeal letters out asking for donations. The dates of these are March, July and November. Some of you respond each time and some do a yearly contribution. We are thankful to each and every one of you for helping us. Your gifts make sure we can help those that have the courage to walk through our doors looking for care.
In Friendship and Gratitude,
Darlene Schmidt
CEO/CED Community Health Free Clinic
Clinic Co-Founder and Advocate for the uninsured since 1995
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Mission: To provide Medical and Dental care to the uninsured and under-served
of East Central Iowa through model Community Partnerships.
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