Plans for the Free Clinic Move Forward   

Plans For the Free Clinic Move Forward - (by Phil Pfuehler) River Falls Journal, September 21, 2006

About a half year from now local organizers expect to open a free medical clinic that will serve those who can't afford health-care coverage.

Months of preparation have brought the clinic vision closer to reality. A big fundraiser for the new clinic called the Harvest Moon Barn Dance will:

• Take place Saturday Oct. 14, at the Bjerstedt Farm, west side of Hwy. 35N at the juncture with Glover Road in the town of Troy.
• Feature a free-will donation dinner from 5:30-7 p.m., followed by a barn dance with live music by the popular area pop group, "Stampede," from 7:30-11 p.m. Tickets for the barn dance and live music are $25. Buy them at Butterfly Boutique at the River Falls Area Hospital, First National Bank or the Lighthouse Coffee Shop.
• Include a cash bar, silent auction of donated local artwork (pottery, wood carvings, paintings and more) and a "bucket brigade." The latter is an array of gift-themed baskets - gardening, arts and entertainment, travel and more - that will be claimed by raffle ticket winners.
• Recognize various sponsors: $250 (bronze); $500 (silver); $1,000 (gold).

Heather Logelin, Kinnickinnic Foundation Health executive director, says contributions are going so well that expenses for the barn dance are already covered.

"Anything that comes in now goes for the free clinic," she said. Logelin said the early fundraising success for what is called the Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties is impressive.

"This issue is resonating with people," she said. "It's obvious that the community is behind us, and so I expect a great turnout on the 14th."

Local outpatient surgical nurse Mary Conroy-Johnson agreed, saying the outpouring of support - both from businesses and individuals - for the initial stages of the project gives her "goose bumps."

Many donations - including two recent ones of $1,000 dollars - arrived unsolicited.

Conroy-Johnson said the Free Clinic should open by April. It will operate one night a week and be located in a wing of the River Falls Medical Clinic.

"Based on anecdotal information from doctors and nurses, especially coming from the emergency room, we expect to see a very diversified group of people," she said. "Many will be those who are working full-time by simply can't afford health care insurance."

Conroy-Johnson said the new Free Clinic won't magically erase the medical crisis in this country.

"We can't control what insurance companies do, what President Bush does or and federal legislation that's needed," she said. "But we can influence and assist the lives of some 20-30 patients each week in a positive way."

"That includes providing them with their medicines and also emphasizing preventative education for those who may be facing chronic problems."

Aside from insurance coverage, Free Clinic patients will also have to fall into low-income guidelines. A household of four earning just under $37,000 would be an example a qualifying family.

Developments for the Free Clinic include:

• A new web site: www.freeclinicpiercestcroix.org details the clinic's goals, how to volunteer, donate money, recognition of contributors, steering committee members to contact and events. The web site will be updated periodically.
• Completing the process to be legally set up to run as a non-profit organization.
• Establishment by Jan. 1 of a board of directors. This board will have broad oversight of the Free Clinic's operations.
• Hiring in the next few months of a paid, part-time clinic manager. Two other part-time paid positions to be filled are: transcriptionist and volunteer coordinator.

Julie Gore of River Falls is overseeing the marketing for the Harvest Moon Barn Dance. Gore said posters will appear soon to highlight the fun night for Oct. 14.

Gore said that she, too, has been "gratified and happily pleased" by the eagerness of citizens and merchants to "open up their pocketbooks" for the clinic's cause.

She said the health care crisis hits close to home for many people and a local free clinic will serve as the basis of a safety net.

Gore, who works in marketing and design, is also a long-time board member with the Kinnickinnic Health Foundation.

KHF, along with the local hospital and clinic are the main backers of the Free Clinic.

"Supporting this new clinic should bring more attention to the Foundation and what we're trying to do," Gore said.

She said the Harvest Moon Barn Dance could evolve into an annual event. It may be used to support the Free Clinic again or some other important health-related cause.

For those who can't attend the Harvest Moon Barn Dance but still want to contribute, either do so by following the steps on the above web site or mail checks to the Kinnickinnic Health Foundation at 1629 E. Division St. in River Falls. Earmark your checks for the "Free Clinic."

Phil Pfuehler can be reached by calling 426-1050 or at rgjeditor@rivertowns.net.

Article reprinted with the permission of the River Falls Journal.