Community Clinics often provide life-changing and, sometimes, life-saving interactions for low-income and/or undocumented, or just for those with language barriers. I was staggered when Hilltop Clinic in the Capitol Hill section of OKC said how many languages they conversed in with clients.
We know that there are many that need care for themselves or their children and do not have sufficient resources or fear that their undocumented status might cause deportation, so health care is impeded. (This IS NOT about our views on illegal immigration. It is about an I’ll child or adult receiving health care.)
South OKC Rotary has sponsored “fund raisers” for Hilltop Clinic in a couple of easy successful ways:
1. A month of Rotary meetings committed to Hilltop needed items; asking Rotarians to bring something to our meeting for Hilltop: copy paper, coloring books, children’s books, diapers, handy wipes, cleaning materials, bilingual books, blankets, clothing, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, ink pens, etc AND at the end of the month a representative from Hilltop Clinic came and we loaded up their car and had a fun photo op!
2. One of our more fun and well-attended Rotary after-hours event was a “burgers and beer” (Baptists are absolutely not required to drink beer and neither are old alcoholics like me!) The ‘admission’ was items like those listed above: copy paper, coloring books etc.
Rotarians, please remember your community clinics. If they are not already on your list of important community support projects, ask them to speak to your club about their critical community function and their needs.
Thank you. Jack Werner, SOKC Rotary