Optimist Club donates to Cove House Free Clinic
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
The Copperas Cove Optimist Club presented a check for $1,000 on Friday to Brian Hawkins, director of Cove House, for the Cove House Free Clinic.
Sandor Vegh with the Optimist Club said their club is about helping the community, and especially where in concerns children.
Hawkins was very thankful and appreciative of the donation from the club, saying the free clinic helped at least 600 with medical care in 2015. Support like this from the community will help the clinic expand its services.
“The clinic is open every Tuesday night, except during months that have five Tuesday or if a holiday falls on Tuesday,” Hawkins said. “They start registering people at 5:00 and can see about 16 to 20 in an evening.”
The free clinic operates in an office at Ledger Medical Plaza, with a staff of volunteer doctors and other medical professionals.
“We see people who are uninsured and those who don't have the means to afford healthcare elsewhere,” Hawkins said. At Cove House's annual banquet in November 2015, Hawkins spoke at length about the free medical services the clinic provides to the community with the help of groups like the Optimist Club and numerous volunteers.
Metroplex Hospital, for example, accept referrals from the physicians and practitioners who work at the clinic, and will perform lab work, blood work and even x-rays at the hospital at no charge for those referrals.
With the help of donations like that of the Optimist Club, the clinic will be able to continue to expand its services to the local community in need of medical care.
Throughout the year, the Optimist Club raises funds via its thrift store, open Friday and Saturday, as well as their annual golf tournament.