Free Clinic

Hagerstown businessman Franklin Turner presented a check for $20,000 to Robin Roberson, executive director of the Community Free Clinic, on Dec. 28. Due to recent economic challenges and a decrease in funding, the clinic had to stop taking new patients in October. Turner made the contribution to the clinic in response to a story published by The Herald-Mail concerning the clinic's financial needs.

The Rotary Club of Long Meadows donated $3,000 in January to the Community Free Clinic of Washington County. “This will pay for 10 patients to get one year of care,” said Robin Roberson, executive director of the clinic. The clinic serves about 15,000 patients per year, and 30 local physicians donate their services to the clinic. Clients of the clinic are people who earn too much to qualify for public assistance, but not enough to be able to afford health insurance. Rotary Clubs serve their communities by raising funds for causes such as the free clinic.

A server scraped the bottom of the large pot of crab soup - the first variety to run out - to dish out one last cup. Not far behind were the turkey sausage and white bean soup, and the mushroom barley soup. While most of the diners at the 20th annual Potters Bowl headed to the nonvegetarian soups Sunday, Susan Stull went straight to Manny Shaool, who was once again serving Aushe Reshte, a Persian vegetarian soup. “I look forward to this every year,” said Stull, 60, of Hagerstown.

The children at Rehoboth Learning Center held an art show/sale at the Desert Rose Café in Williamsport. Thanks to donations and art purchases, the center was able to donate $305 to the Community Free Clinic. The children presented their “check” to Robin Roberson on Jan. 27, along with their prayers and best wishes for the success of the clinic. The center is a ministry of Rehoboth United Methodist Church in Williamsport.

Jennifer Myers and William McLeod were typical of the 56 area residents who took advantage of the first free eye examinations Friday morning at the Eastern Panhandle Free Clinic in Ranson. Sponsored by the West Virginia University Eye Institute and supported by a $115,000 Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation grant, the clinic at 1212 N. Mildred St. is one of 13 free clinics and glaucoma centers in West Virginia participating in the program, now in its second year, said Rebecca Coakley of the WVU Eye Institute's Appalachian Vision Outreach Program.

There's never an easy time of year for Washington County's Community Free Clinic, according to Robin Roberson, its executive director. But in the past two or three months, demands for the clinic's services have grown by 40 percent. "We usually see an increase in the wintertime, but this is the result of people losing their employment and losing their health coverage," she said. The surge in patients makes it that much more urgent that the United Way succeed in its 2008 campaign, which as of Friday had hit 52 percent of its $2 million goal.

julieg@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - The Community Free Clinic on Tuesday was awarded the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce's Impact Award for nonprofit organizations. One thing that made the clinic "stand out was the fact that they are helping people who have no place else to turn and their lives could be very detrimentally affected if they didn't get that help," said Frank Erck, one of the judges for the award and a loan officer with Mercantile Mortgage LLC. Erck said that could be true of any nonprofit.

Martin W. Gallagher Jr.'s journey to Hagerstown - where he helped to found a free medical clinic that serves thousands of uninsured men, women and children - might have started when he decided to become a priest. Or it might have begun even earlier, when he was growing up as the oldest of seven children in Washington, D.C., and its suburbs. "I guess there's something in my DNA imprint that says you should give something back," said Gallagher, 68. The Community Free Clinic, at 249 Mill St., serves any Hagerstown or Washington County resident who does not have health insurance.

The 2004 Maryland Week of the Working Parent celebration runs from May 16 to 22. On Saturday, May 22, at 6 p.m. A.P.P.L.E.S. for Children, the Child Care Resource Center for Western Maryland's Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties, will host the second annual Partnership Dinner at Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort in Allegany County for 125 community representatives, parents, early childhood professionals and elected officials. Entertainment will be provided by the Humor Project on the theme of Partnerships for Growth, with additional time for children's musi and a silent auction.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year with predictions that 6,900 will die of the disease. On Monday, the West Virginia University School of Medicine will offer free oral cancer screenings in the first floor conference room at WVU Hospitals-East Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson. Dr. Majid Shafiei, a clinical professor at WVU School of Medicine and a local ear, nose and throat specialist, is coordinating the screenings.

The Washington County Recreation Department and the City of Hagerstown said $8,171.92 will be distributed to the Community Free Clinic from the annual Run for Your Luck 5K event. The event is held annually and supports the clinic. In addition, the race committee made a one-time donation of $500 to the Quinn Hoover Legacy Fund. The annual St. Patrick's Day race is co-hosted by the City of Hagerstown, Washington County Recreation Department and Community Free Clinic.

The Washington County Bar Association, in partnership with Legal Aid Bureau Inc., invites the community to celebrate Law Day and attend two pro bono clinics to discuss legal problems. On Wednesday, May 1, from 1 to 3 p.m., volunteer attorneys will assist participants in completing advance directives/living wills at the Washington County Commission on Aging, 140 W. Franklin St., fourth  floor. Participants should bring the contact information for the individual they would like to nominate to make their medical decisions, as well as a backup nominee.

In an event that will not only promote running and the Community Free Clinic but also encourage people to stay in downtown Hagerstown for events such as “A Night at the Opera,” city and county officials Thursday afternoon formally announced this year's St. Patrick's Day Run for Your Luck 5K foot race in Hagerstown. The March 16 race, which attracted about 400 participants last year, raises money for the Community Free Clinic, which provides free medical care for under-insured people.

Gardening Washington County Master Gardeners will give information on pruning trees and shrubs. 8 a.m. to noon. Saturday. Hagerstown City Farmers' Market, 25 W. Church St., Hagerstown. Try Hockey for Free Day Children ages 4 to 9 are invited to a free clinic to experience ice hockey for the first time and learn the basics of the sport. All gear supplied. Arrive between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Event ends at 9:45 a.m. Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex, 580 Security Road, Hagerstown.

1. Get up and dance Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at Wilson College's Laird Hall, 1015 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg, Pa. $15. For tickets, call 717-262-2003 or go to www.wilson.edu/event . 2. Putting an end to violence V-Day to Demand an End to Violence Against Women  will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, at Hagerstown Community College's Hilltop Grill in the Student Center,...

The annual Potter's Bowl has become such a big event in its 21 years of existence that it now it has to turn people away. Organizers for the fundraiser for the Community Free Clinic in Hagerstown had to stop selling bowls when 280 guests signed up for Sunday's meal at First Christian Church on Potomac Avenue, said Carol Mendelsohn, one of the organizers. When asked what she thought about all the years of the event, Mendelsohn paused and thought. “I think we're old enough to vote,” Mendelsohn said.

The Rotary Club of Long Meadows donated $3,000 in January to the Community Free Clinic of Washington County. “This will pay for 10 patients to get one year of care,” said Robin Roberson, executive director of the clinic. The clinic serves about 15,000 patients per year, and 30 local physicians donate their services to the clinic. Clients of the clinic are people who earn too much to qualify for public assistance, but not enough to be able to afford health insurance. Rotary Clubs serve their communities by raising funds for causes such as the free clinic.

As wine was poured, hors d'oeuvres were tasted and music was performed, several people milled about tables, deciding whether to place bids on items ranging from gift cards and gift baskets to personal concerts and a Bustin Ratmobile, a downhill skateboard. The Gourmet Goat on North Potomac Street in downtown Hagerstown hosted the fourth annual Wine and Cheese, Silent and Lively Auction on Sunday to benefit the Community Free Clinic. The clinic, on Mill Street, treats medically uninsured Washington County residents for free.