FREE HAIRCUTS ARE offered at the Social Services Fair, which is held as a part of the Compassion Ridgefield Clinic each year. Last year, the event provided 92 free haircuts.
DENTAL SERVICES ARE usually in such high demand that organizers and volunteers of the annual Compassion Ridgefield Clinic often have to unfortunately turn people away. Those wishing to receive dental services during the Sept. 26 event should arrive early, services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
AS A PART OF the Social Services Fair during the Compassion Ridgefield Clinic, free clothing is offered to attendees. Free gently used sports equipment will also be offered at this year’s event.
RIDGEFIELD – During last year’s one-day Compassion Ridgefield Clinic event, volunteer health care providers were able to perform 40 medical exams, 54 dental exams, 27 vision exams and glasses and more for numerous uninsured and underinsured Clark County residents.
Organizers of the annual event hope to offer just as many, if not more, services this year. The clinic will be held Sat., Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at View Ridge Middle School, 510 Pioneer St., Ridgefield.
Compassion Ridgefield is a collaborative effort of area churches, volunteers and health care professionals working together to bring one day of free medical, dental and social services to Clark County individuals who are in need. The clinic is put on Pleasant View Nazarene Church, Messiah Lutheran Ridgefield, Mountain View Christian Center, Ridgefield United Methodist and Ridgefield Nazarene Church.
According to the Compassion Ridgefield website, the goal of the event is to “provide basic medical examinations, dental cleanings, exams and emergency treatment, chiropractic care, eye exams, a community-based Social Services Fair, CPR classes, nutrition counseling, free child care for individuals receiving treatment, free lunch and much more.”
Allison Meade, co-director of Compassion Ridgefield, said the event was spearheaded during its first three years by Frieda Goode, the visitation pastor at Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene. The other two co-directors this year aside from Meade are Kari Goode and Sarah Stuart.
During an interview with The Reflector prior to last year’s event, Meade said that the Compassion Ridgefield event has continued to expand over the last several years.
“The need for dental care grows every year and we are doing our best to expand the amount of services we can offer,” Meade said. “Our social services fair is also growing and we are able to expand a little every year. For example, offering free clothing the past few years.”
Dental services offered at this year’s clinic will include cleanings and emergency treatment. Those wishing to receive dental services are encouraged to come early, as all dental services are first-come, first-served. Medical services will include medical exams, treatment and prescriptions; women’s health services including breast exams and referrals for mammograms; eye exams and and referrals for free glasses; chiropractic exams; physical therapy; foot care; individual nutrition counseling; and nutrition classes.
A free lunch, sponsored by The Vancouver Clinic, will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Social Services Fair will include 30 organizations to provide individuals with help and support, offering free clothing, free gently used sports equipment, free haircuts, free massage and nail care, and a raffle with free giveaways. The Kids Zone, which has been a part of the event the past few years, will include a cake walk and face painting, as well as visit from library, police and fire.
Aside from the medical exams, dental exams and vision exams/glasses provided during last year’s event, Compassion Ridgefield was also able to provide the following at the 2014 event: 11 physical therapy visits, 19 chiropractic, 12 foot care exams, 23 dental fillings, 44 cleanings, 44 extractions, two root canals and 74 X-rays. In addition, the Social Services Fair provided 28 manicures, 29 massages and 92 haircuts.
Meade said the demand for dental care has been so high over the past several years that they’ve actually had to unfortunately turn people away for dental care.
Although the Compassion Ridgefield Clinic primarily serves adults currently, children can also be seen at the event if they have medical needs. People wishing to attend the clinic do not need to pre-register, just show up at the school during the event. Anyone who is uninsured or underinsured is welcome to utilize the medical and dental services, but anyone is welcome to attend the Social Services Fair.
Volunteer registration for the event is currently closed, but anyone wishing to volunteer prior to next year’s event can do so by visiting www.compassionridgefield.org. Visit the Compassion Ridgefield Facebook page for additional information.
