The Flint Hills Community Health Center likely will get some extra help and some new friends with the formation of a new organization, Friends of the Community Health Center, and the organization is turning to the community for members.
Merle Bolz, former Flint Hills Community Health Center board member, spoke about the organization Thursday morning. Bolz said in the past some employees of the health center have recognized the need to have some volunteers in the health center. Bolz said the formation of the Friends of the Community Health Center is like other organizations in town such as Friends of the Zoo and Friends of the Library.
“We decided we would go with Friends of the Community Health Center,” she said. “The purpose of the organization will be to provide support for the (health center) to reach their mission,” Bolz said. “Just anything that is within their realm. We have friends of the zoo and friends of the library for literacy, we should have friends of health.”
Bolz said she worked with four other people who worked together to form the group and write bylaws. Those people include Scott O’Mara, Danica Case, Jackie Scott and Arlene Eichorn.
Bolz said the organization will do some fundraising and volunteering for the health center. Lougene Marsh, executive director of the health center, said the group can support the health center in various ways.
“Somebody can volunteer time,” Marsh said.
The group also can provide monetary support to the health center such as helping purchase a specific piece of equipment. The start-up funds of just more than $3,000 for the Friends of the Community Health Center comes from a donation by Marsh and a separate donation from Bolz. Marsh donated money from an national award she received a few years ago.
Bolz said Friends of the Community Health Center will be an independent organization separate from the health center. It will have its own executive board and the group’s membership will elect officers. The group will be working with the Emporia Community Foundation. Dues will be $5 every two years for active members; $10 every two years for non-active members; and $50 for a lifetime membership.
“I think that’s modest enough that we can get a lot of people and perhaps even our consumers,” Bolz said. “I hope we’ll have a diverse membership.”
Bolz said the first meeting of the group will be in late February. Recruitment letters will go out the first part of February. Officers will be elected at the first meeting.
“We will hopefully make a difference with the (health center),” Bolz said. “The health center is a very, very important part of our community.”