NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

Dr. Bob Wright honored with Dr. Sam Poole Volunteer of the Year Award

Good News Clinics’ (GNC) hosted its annual Fundraising Dinner Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Gainesville’s Banquet Hall. This year’s dinner featured entertainment provided by Chetta Strings, a family of violinists that has been performing together for more 20 years and has played all over the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Russia.

During the dinner, the Dr. Sam Poole Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Dr. Bob Wright. The award is given each year to an outstanding volunteer in memory of Dr. Sam Poole, a local cardiologist who served as the GNC Medical Clinic’s director until his death in 2006. A local ophthalmologist, Dr.Wright retired in 1998 and immediately brought his expertise and equipment to set-up an eye exam area at Good News Clinics. Dr. Wright also worked closely with Gainesville ophthalmologists to meet the needs of GNC patients, establishing a patient
referral process for surgery and corrective lenses long before Health Access Initiative was begun. Since 1998, Dr. Wright has volunteered 8 hours each week at GNC, often examining more than 18 patients a day. In addition, when he receives a call from GNC concerning a patient, his response is always “I will be right there and will see the patient.”

A national survey of free clinics revealed that only 11 percent of free clinics in the U.S. have ophthalmology services available for their patients, making Dr. Wright and GNC leaders among free clinics. These services also make a marked difference in the lives of many. Dr. Wright recently shared the story of one patient who came to GNC with loss of vision in one eye, the result of an accident when the man was in his 20s. Now in his 50s, the patient explained that he had never been able to seek treatment. Dr.Wright examined the patient made
a referral for surgery, and now the patient has vision in this eye. His thank you to Dr. Wright was very emotional, stating that because of him, his life was changed.

The GNC Board of Directors would also like to thank the sponsors and those who attended the dinner for your generosity. Without your help our medical volunteers such as Dr. Wright could not continue the work that is making such a difference in our community.

Anne and George Thomas named Philanthropists of the Year

Anne and George Thomas (above) were recently named Philanthropists of the Year for 2009 by the North Georgia Community Foundation during a luncheon honoring the couple. Richard Bennett, president of the Good News Clinics Board of Directors, spoke at the luncheon and thanked the Thomases for their contribution that allowed the Green Warren Dental Clinic to purchase needed dental equipment, one of the couple’s many notable donations in the local community. Bennett noted that 43 dentists regularly volunteer their time at the Green Warren Dental Clinic, which had approximately 8,000 patient visits last year alone. “[The Thomases] have created a legacy at Good News Clinics for caring in our community,” Bennett said. “May God continue to bless each of you and all the lives you touch. We appreciate you.”

Dr. David Westfall honored at Annual Fundraiser - 2009

Good News Clinics hosted its annual fundraising dinner November 3, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Gainesville. During the dinner, Richard Bennet, president of the GNC Board of Directors, announced that David Westfall, MD, a volunteer physician with Good News Clinics and one of the Clinics’ founders, was the recipient the 2009 Sam Poole Volunteer of the Year award.

Dr. Westfall, who currently holds the position of District 2 Public Health Director, has been involved at GNC since the Clinic’s initial inception. He worked closely with other community volunteers to bring the dream of a charitable medical clinic in Gainesville to reality. “With a long history of serving the underserved in our community, Dr. Westfall has seen patients as a volunteer at GNC since the doors opened, and he continues to volunteer each month—regardless of how hectic his schedule, he always finds time for Good News Clinics,” noted Dr. Bennett. The Volunteer of the Year award is named for Dr. Sam Poole, who served as the Clinics’ medical director until his death in September 2006, and honors an individual who, by their volunteer service, has had an impact on Good News Clinics and its patients.

Entertainment during the dinner was provided by performing artist Katie Deal, a Gainesville native who has entertained audiences all across the U.S. and Canada.  The 2009 Fundraising Dinner hosted a crowd of more than 400 people who came out to aid GNC in meeting their annual fundraising goal. Monies raised from the dinner help support GNC’s annual operating budget, and the GNC Board of Directors would like to thank the following sponsors for their support:

Special Thanks

Good News Clinics’ extends their deepest gratitude to Smokehouse Barbeque & Catering, located in Oakwood, Georgia, for donating the food for the 2009 Fundraising Dinner.

Gold Sponsors
Dr. Tennent and Kelly Slack
Northeast Georgia Health System

Silver Sponsors
Jackie Adams/Nelwyn Turk
AT&T 
Bennett Family & Children’s Dentistry 
Bob and Cheryl Christian
Joe and Diane Chipman
Hop and Mindy Ferran
Wolfgang and Laura Hartert
Doug and Lynne Hanson
Milton Martin Honda/Toyota
Moss Robertson Cadillac & Mazda
Northeast Georgia Plastic Surgery Associates
Stewart Rutledge
Anne Thomas/Bess Poole
Walters Management
Wells Fargo Advisors
Philip and Mary Hart Wilheit

Racing & Lowe’s Teams Build Playground at GNC

On Wednesday, September 23, 2009, the American Le Mans Series, in conjunction with Lowe’s Home Improvement, Michelin and Road Atlanta, constructed an environmentally sustainable outdoor area for families to enjoy while waiting to be seen at Good News Clinics. Corvette Racing driver Oliver Gavin and BMW Rahal Letterman Racing driver Tommy Milner helped plant six autumn blaze maple trees while Lowe’s Home Improvement workers also built a playground made of sustainable wood on the Clinic’s lawn. The planting and playground construction are part of the American Le Mans Series’ off-track green initiative with Lowe’s. Road Atlanta President Geoff Lee said he pointed the American Le Mans Series to GNC because he felt the agency provides an invaluable service to uninsured residents of Hall County. “To be able to give free medical care to folks who otherwise wouldn’t receive it is so important, especially now when so many people are out of work with the economy,” he said. “As they see more patients than ever, and it’s a chance for us to bring the spotlight to them."

Kinchafoonee Cowboys in Concert for GNC

The Kinchafoonee Cowboys, a favorite Georgia band, appeared in a fundraising concert for Good News Clinics on Friday, August 14, 2009. The concert was held at The Chattahoochee Country Club, with a sell-out crowd coming out to eat BBQ, sing, socialize and dance the night away. “The Kinchafoonee Cowboys are very popular throughout north Georgia, and we thought they would be a great draw for a fundraising event,” says Richard Bennett, DMD, president of the Good News Clinics’ Board of Directors. “As the need for the Clinics’ services continues to grow, our board is seeking new avenues to raise needed monies while, at the same time, appealing to potential new supporters.”  Through table and individual ticket sales, the concert raised more than $26,000 for Good News Clinics and the monies raised from the event will go to support general operations  at GNC  “This concert was the first event of its kind for the Clinics, and, in the future, we hope to offer other similar fundraising events,” Bennett adds.

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