The Siloam Springs Community Clinic's 10th annual fundraiser was a sold-out event with more than 160 in attendance and more than $23,000 raised for the nonprofit healthcare center, officials said.
"We inherited the former St. Francis Clinic of Siloam Springs about six years ago," said Tyler Clark, development director for the Community Clinic. "They had a fundraiser previously, so we are continuing that tradition. The money raised here tonight will impact our Siloam Springs patients, which is about 2,500 patients per year with 6,000 or so visits. It is a pretty awesome impact we have on healthcare here in Northwest Arkansas, specifically in Siloam Springs."
The Community Clinic provides medical and dental care in 13 locations across Northwest Arkansas to around 30,000 patients a year total, Clark said. The Saturday night fiesta raised roughly $23,220, which is more than the $22,000 of last year, but still not at the nonprofit's goal of $25,000. The money is raised through pledges, private donations, sponsorships, and silent and live auctions.
One of the patients of the Community Clinic, Pedro Villalobos, spoke to the attendees about the relief the nonprofit has afforded him and his family.
"(They've) been helping with my mom and dad," Villalobos said. "They are older, and my dad passed away recently, but ever since we have been visiting the Community Clinic they have been a very, very big help for us. It is a big help and it is a honor to have people like them helping us. Believe it or not, we need people like that. We need a service like that because as we know doctors are not cheap, when comes to visits or medications. We need a place like Community Clinic to give you that opportunity to get help. They helped me."
Most of the funds that support the Community Clinic come from patient fees, which is roughly $20 per visit, Clark said. The clinic provides affordable health care options for the uninsured or under-served members of the community.
"We were built out of the community because the need was so great and we are thrilled to continue to meet the need,"Clark said. "We are not thrilled that healthcare continues to need to be worked on, but we are here for the people that need us the most. Our mission is to provide health care for all of Northwest Arkansas, and we will do that through the support of people that are here tonight."
Those in attendance were treated to tacos and other Mexican food favorites, as well as a silent auction with art, decorations, food, and services from local businesses. Amy Smith of the city board of directors said she placed a bid on several items, but her first-grader would most appreciate the giant stack of sweet treats that was on the auction block.
"This fundraiser helps raise money for under-insured individuals in our community," Smith said "I am hoping by supporting that clinic that we can improve the health of our community and it has a cascade effect. ... If folks are getting the appropriate healthcare they need then they are taking better care of themselves and they are missing fewer work days so their economics are better and they are taking better care of their family and it just flows down."
She added that supporting the clinic was an opportunity to support the community and she encouraged everyone to help support it when they get the chance.
General News on 09/02/2015