WEST BRANCH – Ogemaw Hills Free Clinic recently accepted a $30,000 grant from the North Central Michigan Community Foundation (NCMCF) to support its health programming and services. The grant comes from the Jim and Loretta Howard Fund at NCMCF.
Ogemaw Hills Free Clinic provides access to healthcare needs for adults in Ogemaw and neighboring counties who lack health insurance or whose income is below the Federal Poverty Level. Services provided include labs work, x-rays, prescriptions, at-home medical supplies, diabetic testing kits, emergency food packages, and more.
“This grant is a great example of the impact that can be made for an organization, and for the communities it serves when someone who cares wants to give back. It is a true testament to the power of endowment,” says Community Foundation Executive Director, Patrick Heraghty. “Since this Howards established this fund, it has provided more than $80,000 to support hospice care – the cause closest to their hearts. Today, this significant grant will help even more area residents to get access to health-related needs they might not otherwise be able to obtain.”
“This grant will enable us to better serve our current patients and provide needed healthcare to a greater number of underserved individuals in our community. The greatest impact will be healthier people – and that is good for our community and beyond,” says Laura Schorn of Ogemaw Hills Free Clinic. “It will help to relieve people of the financial stress of obtaining healthcare and the loss of workdays, especially due to chronic illnesses and poor health outcomes due to lack of medical care. With that will come the peace of mind in knowing they do not have to battle their health issues alone.”
The Jim and Loretta Howard Fund is a field of interest fund established by Ogemaw County residents Jim and Loretta Howard in 2005 and was supported further through a planned gift from the Howards’ estate that was received in 2015.
