Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 2, 1991                   TAG: 9104020220
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

CLINIC PINS BUDGET HOPES ON SATURDAY ART SALE

Many jobless people can't pay for medical care because they no longer have health insurance. And as more of the valley's work force shifts to a service economy, fewer people have health benefits even if they do have a job.

A nearly 30 percent increase in medical patients served in January and February over the same period last year is expected when those figures come in, said Rebecca Noftsinger, executive director of the free clinic.

To give these people medical and dental services, the free clinic needs money. And it hopes the clinic's ninth annual art auction will provide most of the funds that are needed.

"We're hoping to do as well as or better than we did last year," said Noftsinger of the clinic's major fund-raiser, which netted about $10,000 in 1990.

The United Way agency had a 1990 operating budget of about $75,000. The in-kind services provided by dentists, doctors and volunteers increase that figure to more than $400,000.

The art auction will be Saturday at the Blacksburg Holiday Inn. Some 80 artists have donated their works for the event - more than 150 pieces, including paintings, stained glass, baskets, fiber art, photographs, weavings, jewelry and pottery.

There has been a major change in the auction this year to help benefit the artists. If an artist's work sells for more than $50, the free clinic will offer the artist 50 percent of the money collected on the sale of that work. However, the center is encouraging the artists to donate all of the proceeds.

Many artists requested this change because their gift is not tax-deductible; they receive tax breaks only on the cost of their materials.

With this change, the artists can donate the money to the free clinic and write it off as a charitable donation.

"This change has meant that the quality of art has improved overall," said Noftsinger. "And we have new showings from a larger number of artists."

A reception and viewing will begin at 6 p.m. and bidding starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $3 per person or $5 per couple. For information, call 382-6186.