Good Shepherd Clinic hosts fund raiser in Big Canoe Saturday Oct 12, 2014 Good Shepherd Clinic began in the basement of Grace Presbyterian Church and has expanded its services in a larger facility in Dawsonville. By Phillip Bonner Dawson County’s Good Shepherd Clinic, a free clinic located in Dawsonville, is hosting its third annual “Grits & Granola Brunch” fundraising event at the Chimney’s in Big Canoe from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12. Big Canoe residents have the opportunity to help Good Shepherd Clinic meet the health needs of its patients by purchasing tickets to the Grits & Granola Brunch. Tickets are $40 each, and the cost is tax-deductible. A delicious buffet of shrimp and grits, a granola station with fabulous toppings, ham & yeast rolls, smoked salmon, and mouth-watering desserts will be provided, along with a mimosa, bloody Mary, or glass of wine. The brunch will be catered by the award-winning “Talk of the Town.” Good Shepherd Clinic (GSC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is a member of the Georgia Charitable Care Network and is staffed solely by volunteers. GSC provides free non-emergency health care to Dawson County residents over age 18 who do not have health insurance or are not eligible for other programs such as Medicare, Peach Care or Veterans Assistance, and who meet income requirements. Services include women’s wellness screenings, nutrition and diabetic counseling and education classes in weight loss and healthy lifestyles, and referral services. GSC received a $50,000 grant from the Georgia Baptist Healthcare Foundation for a study to evaluate metabolic syndrome and work with a patient group to prevent diabetes and hypertension, as well as to see if these conditions can be controlled in those who have already been diagnosed. At the clinic, volunteers assist patients with prescription assistance programs to ensure that medications prescribed by clinic doctors are received. Medications not available from this program are procured from the local Kroger Pharmacy, free of charge to patients. The clinic does not provide emergency care or treat chronic pain requiring narcotics. In partnership with The Lighthouse Foundation (affiliated with Lions Club International) and the Woman’s Club of Dawson County, GSC is now providing eye and hearing screenings. GSC also provides boxed meals to patients through its “Grace in a Box” program. Currently, a new dental clinic is nearing completion and will offer preventive dental care, radiographs and selected clinical procedures. GSC was the vision of the late Dr. Mark P. Weaver, organizing pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Dawsonville. In 2009 the clinic began operating in the basement of the church. In May of 2012 the clinic moved to its current, expanded facilities located on Dawson Commons Circle, and that year the clinic was one of four organizations chosen by Big Canoe Chapel to be a recipient of the Broyles Mission Conference. Since then GSC has grown rapidly, and in 2013 it served 326 patients with 1,776 patient encounters, providing $138,484 in total value of services, with volunteers contributing 4,559 hours of service time. This year will see continued growth and expansion of services. Good Shepherd Clinic is appreciative of Big Canoe’s ongoing support of its mission, which is “to make Dawson County a better place by providing health care for those who have none.” Those who would like to support the clinic by purchasing tickets to the Grits & Granola Brunch on Oct. 12 can send their check ($40 per ticket), payable to “Good Shepherd Clinic” to: Good Shepherd Clinic, 452 Highway 53E #1009, Dawsonville, GA 30534. For more information contact Jean Weathers (404-644-3575; jeanopenup@aol) or Doug Powell (770-329-6268; dougpowell66@gmail). (Please purchase tickets no later than Oct. 8).
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 01:41:06 +0000
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