Glenda Bates
Glenda Bates
Night had still not given way to morning’s earliest rays. Cars were streaming into Dunnellon Adventist Church at 5 o’clock on a warm summer Sunday morning. If you were a traveler on Highway 41, you might have commented about the absurdity of the hour. A local, however, might remember the flyers posted around town and online for several weeks announcing FREE DENTAL service for cleanings, fillings, and extractions on July 15. The clinic at this location ended up helping 51 people who were either uninsured, underinsured, or homeless in Marion County.
Monte Robison, Dunnellon pastor, together with Ocala elders and members, participated in this clinic as well as many other clinics held in the county. FreeD.O.M. Clinic USA, sponsored by the Marion County Hospital District and working in collaboration with the University of Florida College of Dentistry, adds as many medical professionals as necessary at a host’s site to provide a clinic, depending on the size of the facility and available professional volunteers.
“My husband has been living in pain for years because of his teeth,” a woman wrote on social media on July 15. “What you’re doing is life changing. Thank you so much.”
Dunnellon members also opened their community service center and helped 48 families to be fed that Sunday from the food bank. In addition to ongoing member involvement in community service outreach, the church cooperates with Marion County to provide a location for a senior meals program each Monday through Friday at noon. Seniors have expressed thanks for a place to play games, sing, and visit.
When the church recently had a water line break, repairs necessitated the carpet being stretched and put in place. The carpetman came and carefully stretched the carpet back in place and reglued it. When asked what the charge was, he said, “Nothing! No charge! Your church is always helping the community, and I just want to do my part to help.”
There are many ways to serve the Lord if we are only willing! Is there something you or your church could be doing to be a blessing?
Florida | November 2018
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