ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, May 21, 1996 TAG: 9605210051
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
The Free Clinic of the New River Valley recently celebrated its 15th anniversary with a $20,000 gift from Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Trigon has given the clinic almost $100,000 in the last four years.
The clinic provides free general and medical care and prescription medications to low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents of the New River Valley. The clinic receives no federal or state funding, yet last year, because of the efforts of more than 200 volunteers, including 150 health care professionals, the clinic provided $447,426 of free services to 940 patients, a 23 percent increase from 1994.
More than 60 SHARE volunteers from throughout the New River Valley and Southwest Virginia were recognized at an awards dinner recently in Wytheville. SHARE stands for Self Help And Resource Exchange. It is a program open to anyone in which participants qualify for monthly food packages valued at $30 in exchange for $14 and two hours volunteer service.
In the past year, the volunteers distributed more than 12,000 food packages, amounting to 182 tons of food. Volunteers contributed more than 24,000 hours of service.
New River Valley Hospice, which provides care to patients with life-threatening illnesses and their families, recognized its volunteers during National Volunteer Week April 21-27.
"We began as an all-volunteer organization, so we personally know the commitment it takes to do this kind of work. We applaud and thank each one of our volunteers for the wealth of time and compassion they give to the entire community," said Bhanu Iyengar, executive director.
Wal-Mart associates at the new Supercenter's opening donated $6,550.95 to the Free Clinic of the New River Valley, New River Community Action Head Start, New River Valley Hospice, United Way of Montgomery, Radford and Floyd, and the Women's Resource Center.
The Blacksburg Intermediate Women's Club served its yearly appreciation dinner to the Blacksburg Fire Department and Rescue Squad in April.
About 50 department and squad members were served a variety of foods. Records are not complete, but club members believe the club has held the event each year since 1952.
New River Pontiac-GMC-Nissan raised $3,700 for Red Cross Chapters in Montgomery County and Radford, through a regional fund-raising drive following the winter's heavy snow storms.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the New River Valley thanks the many participants and winners in its recent Bowl for Kids' Sake fund-raiser. Several dozen local businesses participated.
Applause is a special feature to recognize a group or an individual who has helped the community. If you know of someone who deserves mention, please drop us a note at The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va. 24073
LENGTH: Medium: 54 linesby CNB