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After Samaritan's Purse arrived in Ohio County last year to help those affected by the devastating and fatal flooding in the area, the organization knew it wanted to come back.
And it did return just a little more than a year later, holding a free medical, dental and vision clinic in partnership with Newbridge Church throughout the weekend at WesBanco Arena. There is no income requirement. No health insurance or ID is required. The clinic began friday and staff will see people Saturday from 6 a.m-6 p.m. and Sunday from 1-6 p.m.
"We're taking care of people from the community who need help, and need free care, honestly," said Dr. Elliott Tenpenny, medical director for the Samaritan's Purse clinic.
Tenpenny and medical, dental and vision staff are part of an army of 250 volunteers who will help hundreds of patients over those three days. For many people, medical, dental and vision care have become luxuries rather than necessities. The cost of that care as gotten such that it becomes too much of a financial burden to keep up with those aspects of health, especially vision and dental.
Samaritan's Purse is providing free vision exams and eyeglass making, plus free dental exams, fillings and tooth extractions. Through this weekend, people who believed it would be a long time before they could take care of themselves in those ways have their chance to do it.
If you're in need of medical, dental or vision care, please take advantage of these opportunities if necessary. Ignoring health problems isn't just unadvised. It's dangerous. Don't let smaller problems become bigger ones.
And thank you to Samaritan's Purse and Newbridge Church. These organizations are giving both adults and children the opportunity to take care of themselves without worry over cost.