Jan. 23, 2025

CAF donation helps Volunteers in Medicine meet vital community need for healthcare

Christian Associates Foundation recently presented a $5,000 check to Volunteers in Medicine Christian County to help the nonprofit organization provide free primary medical care to persons without health insurance.

“What you do is so vital to our community; it’s what caught our eye,” said Larry Leek, chief executive officer and president of the foundation. “Rural medicine – it’s where the need is, and it’s a very worthy cause. The impact you’re making can make a difference in the community.”

Volunteers in Medicine Christian County was founded in 2018 as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Its mission is to provide free high-quality health care to uninsured, underserved and homeless residents of Christian and adjacent counties who are 18-64 years of age and meet VIMCC’s eligibility guidelines.

Clinics are held two to three times a month at locations in Christian and Stone counties, typically on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Services include an appointment with board-certified physician or nurse practitioner, as well as medicine, laboratory tests and X-rays as prescribed – all at no cost to eligible patients.

“VIMCC is providing critical services for a growing portion of the population,” said Nick King, board president of Volunteers in Medicine. “Due to our current economic price hikes, more and more people are having to make choices of food and rent over health. We will continue to attempt to fill the need of contributing to a healthy community for everyone.”

Meeting community needs is the cornerstone of Christian Associates, which began 50 years ago with the simple mission of helping community nonprofits become sustainable, Leek said. The Foundation has recognized and met many needs. It started the health department, library, a domestic violence center, pantry and senior center in Stone County. Each was operated until they were sustainable, independent organizations.

Christian Associates’ board of directors also recognizes the need for healthcare for many residents in rural counties, which led it to research and award funds to Volunteers in Medicine Christian County. “Having worked in nonprofits for many years, I know firsthand that healthcare is in short supply,,” said Leek. “When I came across your organization, … with so many healthcare professionals involved and volunteering their time, our board knew we wanted to do something to hopefully make a difference.”

To learn more about Volunteers in Medicine Christian County, call 417-267-1667, or visit its website at vimchristiancounty.org or Facebook@VIMChristiancounty.

Larry Leek, left, president and CEO of Christian Associates Foundation, hands a $5,000 donation check to John Lorette, medical director of Volunteers in Medicine Christian County, which will use the funds to continue providing free primary health care to eligible persons. From left are Leek and VIMCC volunteers Donna Swatzell, Carol Daniel, Julie Schnakenberg, Dr. John Lorette, Ben Blackstone, Lanell Gold and Dr. Rachelene Middleton.

VIMCC contacts for this news release: Linda Putman, linda.putman@vimchristiancounty.org, and Amanda King, amanda.king@vimchristiancounty.org