Co-chairs for this year's fundraiser are Karen Lairmore of Medical Alliance of Bell County and Sharon Tomlinson of Altrusa Inc. of Temple.
The Caring Ball contributes approximately one third of the clinic's operational funds for the year.
The Temple Community Free Clinic was founded as a result of the vision and dedication of two Bell County physicians: Dr. Jeff Jackson an endocrinologist at Scott & White and Dr. Gopal Guttikonda, a neurologist at Scott & White Hospital. The clinic offers free medical services to Bell County residents not covered by Medicare or health insurance. Those eligible for services at the clinic include the working poor, qualified uninsured, and those with overwhelming medical needs. Most patients come from working households where they do not have health insurance or are bound by large deductibles, carry large medical debts or struggle to get by each month because of low-paying jobs.
After the opening of the Women's Clinic this year, "we will see more than the normal 250 to 300 patients per month," Connie Minnick said. The Women's Clinic will be open the second Tuesday of each month, however the demand for services could require the addition of another day.
The live auction this year will be headed up by the donation from Cornerstone Gardens Healthcare & Rehabilitation with the donation of a three-day guided Whitetail hunt for one hunter and one guest on the Montgomery Properties Ranch in Jack County.
Another live auction item is a 1998 New Orleans Jazz Fest Poster signed and numbered, donated by Paula and Charles Conti.
Some of the silent auction items are a guided tour of New Orleans landmarks, a one and one half hour party from Games 2u Mobile game theater, manicures for a month and many more items are coming in daily.
The "balloon auction" will continue this year as it was well received in last year's event.
For answers to questions, assistance donating auction items, or tickets, call the clinic at 778-3374.
