A total of 1,433 White County residents received assistance at the 17th annual A Day of Caring. As part of its mission to create a healthy community, White County Medical Center leads the charge in coordinating A Day of Caring; the medical outreach that helps uninsured and underinsured residents of White County.
This year, more than 500volunteers from WCMC and the community united to serve at the outreach event, which was held at the Ganus Athletic Center on the Harding University campus. Also, 34 local organizations set up booths to provide educational materials to participants on health and social services.
“We are always amazed at the remarkable turnout of volunteers and sponsors,” WCMC Marketing Director Brooke Pryor said. “The spirit of volunteerism in our community is tremendous, and our hospital is proud to be part of a community that cares for its neighbors. Thank you to each volunteer and sponsor who served at A Day of Caring!”
Physicians, dentists, eye doctors and pharmacies from the local medical community donated their time and services on Saturday, August 3 to see patients. As a result, 115 medical exams, 235 dental screenings and 58 eye screenings were performed and prescriptions were filled for 80 participants. Pap exams, depression screenings and blood sugar checks were also given.
A total of 600 bags of school supplies were given to children present. Hair stylists gave 67 haircuts, 472 bags of groceries were distributed and 1,144 Bibles were given out to participants. Other items given out included personal care products, diapers, and children’s socks, shoes and underwear. Also, 1,648 lunches were distributed to participants and volunteers.
Gary and Amber Birchett, of Rose Bud, sought assistance at A Day of Caring after a family member heard about the outreach on the radio. “This is our first experience coming to A Day of Caring, and it’s been awesome … I’m so glad y’all help,” Amber said. “We came because I needed a dental screening, and I’m going to go see the dentist in his office soon to have a tooth pulled. I’ve received lots of other things, too, like family counseling, groceries and a haircut. Today has been very helpful for us.”
A Day of Caring 2013 was sponsored by the following: Absolute Care Management; ARcare; Arkansas State University Searcy; CARTI; Centennial Bank; Cool 104; Covenant Fellowship Church; Crain Media; Families, Inc.; Family Practice Associates; First Community Bank; First Security Bank; First United Methodist Church Thrift Shop; Harding Press; Harding University; H&R Block; Imagine, A Paul Mitchell Partner School; Joe’s Pharmacy Express; Liberty Bank; Mayfair Solutions; NorthStar EMS; PrimeCare; Quattlebaum Music Center; Regions Bank; Radiology Associates Searcy Breast Center; Sam’s Club Distribution Center; Searcy Medical Center; Simmons First Bank; Southern Bank; The Daily Citizen; Three Rivers Edition; Walmart Distribution Center; Walmart Supercenter; White County Community Foundation; White County Medical Center and the White County Medical Center Auxiliary.
The 20th Annual Shots for Tots and Teens was held in conjunction with A Day of Caring, as 13 immunizations were given. The shots were sponsored by ASU/Searcy School of Nursing; Harding University College of Nursing; Junior Auxiliary of Searcy; Kiwanis Club of Searcy; Optimist Club of Searcy; White County Health Department, and WCMC.
About White County Medical Center
As the leading healthcare provider in a six-county area, White County Medical Center associates strive to improve the quality of health and well being for the communities it serves through compassionate care. White County Medical Center is the largest employer in a six-county area with more than 1,750 associates. The facility has a combined total of 438 licensed beds and a medical staff of 150 physicians that specialize in various areas of healthcare.
In addition to the North and South Campuses, White County Medical Center has a family of physician clinics including: Family Practice Associates, Orthopedic and Spine Center of Central Arkansas, Searcy Medical Center and Searcy Medical Center – West Clinic, Westside Family Medical Clinic, WCMC Cardiology Clinic and White County Oncology.
