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FernCare Bowl-A-Thon Tops $4,000 for Free Clinicmodern tax

(Crystal A. Proxmire, 12/04/2011)

As the pins fell in Luxuary Lanes in Ferndale, so too did some of the barriers to healthcare for local individuals who do not have medical insurance.  FernCare, the free health clinic, held its annual Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser on Dec. 4, 2011.  A dozen lanes were full of bowlers, all having gathered pledges to help the clinic carry on with its work.  Before expenses, the group took in approximately $4,000, all while enjoying pizza, bowling and contests.

Sponsors like the Law Offices of Kristina G. Barsch, Grand Central Storage, Great Wall, Danny’s and Baldwin Theatre contributed financially, while attendees were able to win prizes from local businesses like Go Comedy,  Little Daddy’s, Mark Ridley Comedy Club, Peabody’s, and Pasqule’s.

Anthony Sikora had the high game overall, with a score of 256.  Erin James had it for the ladies with 224.

Joanne Willcock organizes the event each year and says she is grateful for everyone who came out to bowl, and “we have to thank Paul Stewart from Luxuary Lanes.  He’s awesome from doing fundraisers and giving groups a great price.”

The money raised goes towards operation of the FernCare clinic, which currently provides free medical care to over 50 patients.  The clinic has a paid medical supervisor and a team of volunteers, including a pharmacist and security, to provide basic medical care to those who cannot afford it.

Since Aug. 7, 2010 the volunteer staff of FernCare had been serving clients out of a temporary location at the Kulick Community Center.  By the end of their first six months they had treated 151 people and reached their capacity for new patients. The clinic will saw its first patients in their new brick mortar location at 459 E. 9 Mile on Saturday, September 24, 2011.

“We need to continue having fundraisers in order to keep providing service,” said FernCare Board President Ann Heler.  “The community is so generous and they keep giving and giving, because there are so many people who care about their neighbors. We are all so grateful.”

FernCare was also given a donation from the Ferndale Elks Club at the Ferndale City Council Meeting of Nov. 28, 2011 in the amount of $2,000.  Jerry Olli of the Elks presented a check to FernCare Treasurer Bob Babut, saying “We’re very glad to have FernCare here and I know everybody else is.”

The $2,000 donation came from the state-level Elks organization which voted on which projects to support at their October fall meeting up in Sault St. Marie.

“Every penny we receive allows us to put more money and more resources into patient care for those who are unfortunate enough to not have the proper health insurance,” Babut said.

To find out more about FernCare, including other upcoming fund raisers, check out their website at www.ferncare.org.  They have also released their Holiday Wish List of items that they need.  You can find that list here.