Oak Ridge Today

Free flu shots, warm coats at free Stone Soup community meal on Friday

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Stone Soup Ministry Community Meal

Sister and brother Lilly and Logan Swain help serve food at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church’s Stone Soup Ministry meal in November 2012. (Submitted photo)

Stay warm and healthy with a steamy bowl of homemade soup and a free flu shot at a community meal at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church on Friday.

The meal is scheduled from 5 to 6 p.m. in the church’s Social Hall. It’s a great opportunity to spend time to relax and enjoy time with others from throughout the community, a press release said.

The Stone Soup team will prepare and serve a homemade meal of black eyed pea soup, sandwiches, pumpkin pie, and milk.

Nurses from the Free Medical Clinic are volunteering their time to give flu shots. Nicknamed the “flu crew,” the nurses plan to be ready to start at 4:30 p.m. and plan to finish at 5:30 p.m. The vaccine is being provided by the clinic. [Read more…]

Christmas coffeehouse at First Presbyterian for Free Medical Clinic

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Ellen Bast Performs Modern Dance at a Coffeehouse

Ellen Bast will perform modern dance at tonight’s Christmas Coffeehouse. (Submitted photo)

College students who are home for the holidays are hosting a coffeehouse fundraiser with live music on tonight (Friday night) from 7 to 10 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

The young adults hope to generate enough proceeds tonight to give a “very merry” Christmas to the clinic. The coffeehouses have become a reliable and persistent funding source for the clinic. The students have donated more than $12,000 since 2011 from the coffeehouse.

“We give them 100 percent of what we bring in, ” said Sumner Byrne, George Washington University student and event organizer. “It feels great to be making a difference.”

Byrne said many students who participate attend different colleges.

“This is a great place to get together, enjoy old friends, and make some new ones,” Byrne said. “The coffeehouse music provided by local musicians is always superb, and we raise money for a good cause. How much better can it get?” [Read more…]

Co-director to discuss Free Medical Clinic’s role under new health care law

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Tanya Vargas

Tanya Vargas

Dr. Tanya Vargas, co-director of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, will discuss the role of the clinic under the new health care act in a community forum to be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Grace Covenant Church, 320 Robertsville Road.

Her presentation is entitled “The Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge after the Affordable Care Act.” Vargas said she will address the question, “If everyone is going to be insured after the Affordable Care Act, why would free medical clinics like FMCOR be needed?”

Vargas moved to Oak Ridge in 1990, after completing her pediatric training at Tulane University School of Medicine and Affiliated Hospitals, and three years of private practice in New Orleans.

She has been active in multiple organizations in Oak Ridge, including Oak Ridge Playhouse, ShowKids, Oak Ridge Baseball Association, and Montessori School of Oak Ridge. She is a founding member of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge board of directors and has served in various capacities on that board, including service as president. [Read more…]

Remote Area Medical volunteer meeting in Clinton today

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First Baptist Church of Clinton will be the hosting a second Anderson County Remote Area Medical Expedition Sept. 21 thru Sept. 22 this year.  Their mission is to serve those in need of vision, dental, and medical services.

The Anderson County Remote Area Medical Clinic will be a free medical clinic supported by volunteers and donations. There is an informational meeting this evening for those interested in helping with the two-day event in September. [Read more…]

Medicaid expansion discussed at next Interagency Coalition Meeting

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A possible expansion of Medicaid will be discussed at an Anderson County Interagency Coalition meeting next week.

Representatives of all health and social service providers in Anderson County are invited to attend, a press release said.

The meeting will be held at the Anderson County Health Department from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday.

[Read more…]

Free community meal at Unitarian Universalist Church on Friday

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The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church has a free community meal on Friday, and nurses from the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge have volunteered to give flu shots to those in need, a press release said.

Free coats and blankets will also be available on a first-come, first-serve basis due to a limited supply.

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary presents Service Above Self award

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Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Service Above Self Award

The Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club recently presented its Service Above Self award to John Auxier, second from left. Also pictured from left are Linda Brown, Tonya Vargas, Jim Michels, and Michael McCutchens. (Photo by D. Ray Smith)

The Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club recently selected John Auxier as the winner of the 2012 Service Above Self Award.

The award, presented at an October meeting, is unique because it is not given to Rotarians but instead to people or organizations that give outstanding volunteer service to the community, a press release said.

“This award is also distinctive in that it is not an annual award but is instead only given when the award committee believes there is a worthy recipient,” the release said.

[Read more…]

Taste of Oak Ridge raises about $2,500 for Free Medical Clinic

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About 500 people enjoyed food and music at Saturday’s Taste of Oak Ridge in Jackson Square, organizers said.

Now in its fourth year, Taste of Oak Ridge is an annual fundraiser held by the Jackson Square Business Association to benefit The Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. This year’s five-hour festival raised about $2,500 for the clinic, the most so far, a press release said.

The Free Medical Clinic serves low-income, uninsured residents of Anderson and Roane counties.

Taste of Oak Ridge on Sept. 22 in Jackson Square

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The fourth annual Taste of Oak Ridge on Sept. 22 in Jackson Square will feature food samples from local restaurants, music, and the opportunity to help a local medical facility, a press release said.

Restaurants that will take part include Dean’s Restaurant, Gondolier, The Market House, Razzleberry Lab and Kitchen, The Soup Kitchen, Time Out Deli, and The Other One. RNfit Weight Management will be offering samples as well.

[Read more…]