During the last decade, our county has benefited greatly through the ongoing ministry of the Free Medical Clinic of Newberry. Because of the vision of leaders in our churches, businesses, and in our community, the clinic has provided for the ongoing medical needs of thousands of people who reside in Newberry County.

The clinic continues to be a valuable resource for addressing the medical needs of the medically under-served who reside in Newberry County.

The clinic is pleased to announce that the annual meeting and open house will be held on Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.

The clinic welcomes the community to attend the meeting and open house at the clinic located at 2568 Kinard St. in Newberry. Door prizes and light refreshments will be served.

At its’ inception in June 2004, the Free Medical Clinic placed Newberry County on the cutting edge in caring for the people in the state of South Carolina. At that time, only a few of these clinics existed across the State of South Carolina. Because our community was essentially first in line for financial resources, the clinic has benefited greatly from the largest of funding agencies.

Unfortunately, many of these resources are no longer available. With the budget cuts that have impacted nearly every organization, grants and other funding sources that were once available are now non-existent or are significantly reduced. Also, there are many non-profits competing for the same limited resources.

The clinic is proud to currently serve over 900 active patients who are residents of Newberry County and does not receive any tax-payer monies.

The clinical staff is made up of volunteer physicians, nurses, and medical assistants. Without the assistance of these wonderful volunteers, the services provided by the Free Medical Clinic of Newberry County would not be possible.

A note and donation was recently received from a patient of the clinic. It speaks volumes of the worth and quality of services that the clinic provides. It is our connection to purpose.

Help the clinic continue to provide quality health care services to our under-served and uninsured citizens of Newberry County. With the support of the community, the clinic can continue to provide the health care services so badly needed in these tough economic times.

If you read the news, you are surely aware of the lack of medical resources for people who fall below the poverty line in our country. By supporting the Free Medical Clinic of Newberry, you are helping to stretch the resources that already exist in our community.

As the clinic moves forward into the future, your support is even more vital than it has been in the past. Individuals in the community have been a significant source for ongoing support since the clinic came into existence. Without the giving of these individuals, churches, and businesses, the clinic could not have served the number of people it has served during the last 8 years.

We hope that the community will come out to show support and take a tour of the clinic to see first-hand what is happening at our local Free Medical Clinic of Newberry.

If you would like for a representative to speak to a church or civic group or more information on how to donate or volunteer, please contact Pamela Branton, executive director, at our office at 276-6665 or e-mail at pmb.freemedclinic@yahoo.com.