But that wasn’t the point.
The goal was to raise money for the Temple Community Free Clinic. And that the soiree did in the amount of $135,000. The amount provides more than one-third of the clinic’s yearly operating costs.
For its work with the 2007 Caring Ball, the Medical Alliance of Bell County received the “Dedication to the Mission” award from the Texas Medical Association Alliance during a conference on April 26 in Dallas.
Guidelines from the Texas medical alliance said the award is presented to the county with the project that most closely epitomizes its mission - “Partnering with the Texas Medical Association to improve the Health of All Texans.”
“We waited with baited breath as the winners were announced,” said Zoe Rascoe, president of the Medical Alliance of Bell County. “We are very excited to be honored, especially for such a great community project as the Caring Ball.”
Work to create the Temple Community Free Clinic began in February 1994. The Bell County Medical Alliance and Altrusa International Inc. of Temple joined forces to initiate the annual fund-raising event that became known as the Caring Ball. The first one raised $30,000.
With financial support netted at each year’s Caring Ball, the free clinic has grown to serve more than 3,000 patients per year.
“It has become an event that instills community pride,” Ms. Rascoe said. “Both in the tremendous effort put forth on the exquisite evening, but also in the important community service it helps to provide so that all of our citizens have access to health care.”
