Dear concerned member of Orangeburg and/or Calhoun County,
Access to healthcare is a need as basic as food and shelter, yet there are 47 million Americans without insurance. In South Carolina alone, there are over 800,000 uninsured persons and it is estimated that there are between 8,435 to 15,219 uninsured residents living right here in Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties. Of these, an estimated 11,000 uninsured persons from the two counties used the Emergency Department of RMC in 2007. Twenty-three percent of the Orangeburg population has income below the poverty level. All persons without insurance, who have income below 200% of the federal poverty income guidelines and do not have a medical home, will qualify for services. There are 1200 free clinics in the United States and 40 in South Carolina. The free clinics see over 4 million patients a year.
That is why everyday citizens, physicians and other caring persons are bonding together to make a difference in improving access to healthcare to those in need. The Orangeburg - Calhoun Free Medical Clinic hopes to open in July. We need your prayers, support and help in order to make this clinic a success. It will be located at 860 Holly Street. The hours will be from 4pm to 9 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The clinic will also be open on Wednesday mornings from 9am to 12 noon for intake appointments only (no patient care).
Please find enclosed a brochure you may copy and distribute to your congregation, clients, friends and family members. This will help build awareness of the clinic. We hope to be a medical home for individuals to help support them in health promotion and prevention.
Also, please download the volunteer application or other materieals (link on left of page) for you to distribute as well. We hope to have a large volunteer pool to decrease the workload on each volunteer. The experience of serving at the clinic will be a rewarding and enriching experience to anyone who is interested. After all, it is better to give than to receive.
Please feel free to contact any member of the board for more information or to schedule a presentation to your group or organization.
And lastly, financial support is critical to ensure longevity of the Orangeburg-Calhoun Free Medical Clinic and is graciously accepted. Checks can be mailed to the PO Box below. We are a nonprofit authorized organization and all gifts and cash can be tax deductible. Our Tax ID # is 576008010.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and consider helping and supporting the clinic. With your help the clinic hopes to empower the citizens of Orangeburg and Calhoun County by offering services to promote healthier, more productive lives.
Sincerely,
Dr Bert Gue, Medical Director
Sandra Chaplin, Executive Director
Please complete and return Volunteer Applications by mail to PO Box 505, Orangeburg SC 29116, or fax 803-534-8899 to Free Clinic.
Volunteer orientation will be scheduled as needed. Please call to set up appointment 803-534-7200. Orientation should take an hour.