Free medical clinic fills need in community, helps more than 300
Over the weekend, a team of volunteers worked together to offer free medical, dental and vision services to 334 patients.
Patients at the first-ever Remote Area Medical pop-up clinic at the Butler Intermediate High School received $161,254 in free care.
One dentist reported having extracted 30 teeth by 11 a.m. Saturday morning. At that time, more than 200 people had signed up for the free clinic.
Efforts on Saturday began as early as 5:30 a.m., when volunteers directed patients into parking lots and then to the reception area inside the lobby.
But volunteers who led the clinic had begun preparing for the clinic -- a massive undertaking -- for months.
Lynn McKinnis, who leads the community host group for the clinic, said volunteers spent six months distributing flyers and spreading the word of the event. The Butler Transit Authority even added a special route for people access the clinic.
For those who received service over the weekend, there was no charge. No one had to show an ID or prove their income.
“It was very difficult for people to believe that everything is truly free and there’s not a catch to it,” McKinnis said.
We hope this is an event that returns to Butler County in the future. We are proud of the efforts our community undertook to bring this event to Butler and anticipate future clinics would see more participation.
According to Brian White, Butler Area School District superintendent, 46% of families in the school district get free or reduced lunches.
“There is a need in our community,” White said.
– TL
