The major fundraiser for Servolution Health Services (SHS) is right around the corner.
Servolution Health Services is the county’s only free health clinic for the uninsured. It is located in the old Powell Valley High School Vocational building in Speedwell. It serves income-eligible residents from the tri-state area.
This year’s fundraiser, a Tele-fest, has been expanded from the usual telethon to include much more – there will be a festival with many activities onsite at SHS. The telethon will still take place for those who can’t make it to the Tele-fest.
The Tele-fest will be held Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Calls will also be taken for donations on Gary and Phil’s Gospel Show on LMU-TV, Sunday from 6-10 a.m.
Phone lines will be set up at the Sigmon Communication Center with volunteers taking calls during Tele-fest hours. The telethon portion of the day can be seen on LMU-TV, which is available on Vyve channels 4 and 24, Sunset Digital channel 19 and on the radio at 91.3 FM and 740 AM.
Officials with SHS hope to get people to the clinic in hopes they will see the progress it has made and the huge need it is filling for the tri-state area’s residents.
The majority of funding for SHS is from grants, according to Alicia Metcalf, who serves as the chief financial officer, director of operations and clinic administrator.
“A large grant we’ve had runs out June 30, 2016,” she said, “and we need to be self-sustainable.”
Metcalf added that many area businesses, churches and organizations donate but many more are needed.
“It costs about $100 to $125 per patient,” she said.
The clinic team, which is overseen by an executive committee and board of directors, has overcome many obstacles to get to its current point. The building it is housed in was completely gutted and rebuilt, with areas for medical patients, a separate area for dental patients, a wellness center and office space. Much of the work has been done by volunteers.
“God’s definitely in it,” said Metcalf.
Servolution was started as a response to the tremendous need for primary, dental and mental health care for the underserved within the community and in order to love and serve the community in a practical way, according to its website.
During the Tele-fest, tours will be available at the clinic. There will be games and activities for the entire family, including a bounce house, hayrides, musical entertainment and much more. Food will be available to purchase as well.
A silent auction will be held throughout the day, with items that include jewelry, chairs, paintings, gift cards and much more.
The clinic was a dream of the late Dr. Edwin Robertson, known for his philanthropy and leadership in the area and the person who spearheaded the effort to bring a free clinic to serve the area’s residents.
In 2011 Pump Springs Baptist Church (PSBC) received a HRSA Planning Grant to conduct a health needs assessment for the community. Over 4,100 survey forms were returned to the grant team and they revealed the overwhelming need for health care and dental care for the uninsured and the underinsured. The grant team and staff of PSBC realized that a health care clinic was needed for the community and that the community would best be served if area church members would come together and work on this endeavor.
The governing board was formed with representatives from area churches representing the Christian denominations in the community. Board members traveled to numerous clinics in several states to learn how to start, fund and operate a clinic. Volunteers from these churches have provided many hours of free labor whether serving on the board, volunteering time for construction labor at the clinic site, or planning how the clinic will be funded and working on other aspects of starting and running a clinic. Medical personnel includes physicians, dentists, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, mental health professionals, optometrists, pharmacists, physical therapists, chiropractors, dental assistants and dental hygienists. Clerical personal also volunteer at the clinic.
Metcalf added that the federal health care act didn’t take care of everyone, especially “the working poor” who can’t afford insurance and people who have lost insurance.
“We strive to offer them health care with excellence,” she said. “We want people to see what we do and take a look around.”
Servolution as a whole encompasses a food pantry and thrift store in addition to the clinic. The thrift store, located in the building next to SHS, will be open during the Tele-fest.
“We are very unique,” stated Metcalf. “With the health clinic, wellness and prevention program, thrift store and food pantry, we are meeting several needs for people.”
More donations for the silent auction are welcome, said Deborah Chumley, who serves as the secretary for the board, as director of fundraising, marketing and communications and as Project Diabetes director.
SHS is located at 245 Powell Valley School Lane in Speedwell. For more information or to make a donation at times other than the Tele-fest, call 423-419-5070. You may also call to make an appointment or to find out if you are income-eligible.
Reach Marisa Anders at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @newsgirl88.
