(Forsyth County, GA) Six months after opening its doors, Forsyth Community Clinic gained the 50th member of its 100 Founders Club.
The clinic is one of the county’s first free healthcare clinics that provides non-emergent healthcare to the approximately 27,000 low-income, uninsured residents between the ages of 18 and 65. Operated by both medical and non-medical volunteers, the clinic offers basic health screenings, referrals and prescription assistance.
It opened last December at a temporary location before a ribbon cutting was held for its new home on May 5 at a suite on Mary Alice Road in Cumming.
The 100 Founders Club is made up of groups or individuals who donate at least $1,000 to the clinic, which covers the cost of about 10 patients. Club members are given a physical commemoration inside the clinic and a personal gift.
On May 25, the Forsyth County Community Foundation (an affiliate of the North Georgia Community Foundation) became the 50th member of the club, putting the clinic halfway to its goal of 100 members.
According to its website, the FCCF was “established in 2015 to better serve the specific needs of Forsyth County and allow donors to focus their charitable giving in their own community.”
Executive Director Evan Shoemake said the foundation also gave an additional gift after the clinic’s main computer crashed unexpectedly.
A quote on the foundation’s website reads “We have the vision of making a local impact with local dollars as we work to better our community.” said FCCF Chair, Mary Helen McGruder. “We take pride in the fact that all of the money contributed will go into our endowed fund, the FCCF Community Fund, and pour back into Forsyth County today, tomorrow, and in perpetuity.”
The clinic will also be partnering with the foundation for a fundraising event in the future
“Part of what makes this gift so meaningful to the clinic is that we get to be part of their mission of bettering the community now and for the future and we are proud to partner with the Foundation on a fundraising celebration that joins both our organizations with a local business,” Shoemake said.
Clinic Updates
There have been many developments for the clinic since its opening. For instance, a clinic was held for residents of No Longer Bound, a residential treatment facility for men fighting addictions. These patients will also receive care once they exit the program.
GoodPill Pharmacy & Medical Supply also partnered with the clinic to provide medications at almost no cost. Telehealth company, Giving Health, also provides patients with free telehealth and telecounseling. Those without a computer or smartphone can receive these services in a room at the clinic.
Shoemake said he is very grateful for the support the clinic has received from the community so far, saying they now have about 100 volunteers involved.
“I'm just very impressed by the level of support and interest that we've got from the community,” Shoemake said. “It's been the number one mission for me, from the beginning, that the community believes in this project and endeavor and they genuinely do.”
Those seeking medical care can schedule an appointment by contacting the clinic at 678-812-6622 or at info@forsythcommunityclinic.org.
The Forsyth Community Clinic is located at 102 Mary Alice Park Road, Suite 803, in Cumming.
For more information, visit forsythcommunityclinic.org. Information on volunteering can be found here. Donations can be made here.
For more information on the Forsyth County Community Foundation, click here.
If you have a news tip in Forsyth County, contact Justine Lookenott at justine.lookenott@newsbreak.com. You can also follow her on Twitter at @justalookenott.
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