Harlan Kirgan
The Eunice Community Health Clinic received a $20,000 contribution from the Eunice Rotary Club on Wednesday.
The free health clinic serves more than 400 people a month with primary health and a pharmacy, said Yancy Fontenot, the center’s executive director.
The $20,000 came equally from the club’s Zydeco Tri-athlon and a new golf tournament held in August at Koasati Pines at Coushatta.
Glen Michaud, a pharmacist and the free clinic’s treasurer, said of the Rotary Club, “They are an outstanding organization that benefits the community ... and we appreciate all that they do for the clinic.”
The clinic operates for the working uninsured and under-insured, he said.
“They help so many people in times of crisis and need,” he said of the clinic.
Bob Fontenot, club president, said the clinic, located at 450 Moosa Blvd., Suite E, is good for Eunice and a lot people.
“It takes people like you all to be able to do it,” he said to the Rotarians on Wednesday.
David Reed, a Rotary Club member, noted his mother was starting a new job and was able to utilize the clinic’s services until her insurance benefits went took effect.
Rotarians Reed and Donnie Richard organize the tri-athlon held at LSUE in April.
Nickie Toups, who organized the club’s golf tournament, said, “This is just a small token that we can to do to give back.”
Yancy Fontenot the money is “... going to benefit the clinic and continue to help us serve the region. We are really in need of funding.”
There have been 250 new patients this year, she said.
The clinic operates mostly with the help of volunteers, she said.
But even with the volunteer workers, it takes more than $90,000 a year to operate the clinic, she said.
“I just appreciate the community coming together and supporting the clinic,” she said.
The clinic opened in 2003 in Eunice and serves people from about 10 parishes.
The clinic’s board officers are Jennifer Creswell, president; Dr. Jevin Bordelon, vice president; Kitty Cormier, secretary; and Michaud, treasurer.