Volunteers needed to make free health clinic a success

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) – The City of Lake Charles is seeking volunteers for a free health clinic planned for the fall.
  
The American Press reports Operation Healing & Restoration, planned for Sept. 15-16 in the Civic Center, needs both medical and non-medical volunteers for the event to be successful. Coordinator Emily Ashworth says they need dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, doctors and support staff.
  
The clinic will provide free dental, vision and general medical care to every person who shows up – as long as there are enough volunteers. Equipment for the event will be furnished by Remote Area Medical, a nonprofit group that provides mobile medical clinics.
  
Volunteers are asked to register by Aug. 15. To sign up, call 337-491-1378 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com.
  
Dr. Jay Marque, an emergency medicine specialist and owner of Lake Charles Urgent Care, said he will volunteer his services for the event.
  
"The community is important to me. I believe people want to volunteer to help this community," Marque said. "Sometimes they just need to be told how to help – and when and where to be."
  
Up to 70 percent of the medical care offered at the clinic will be dental and vision, officials said. Other areas will include women’s health, men’s health, pediatrics, and HIV screening.
  
The clinic will open at 6 a.m. both days, with tickets for the event being given out at 3 a.m. There is a possibility of follow-up medical care for those seen at the clinic.