Volunteers aged 5 to 16 recently assisted in a school supply drive to benefit clients of St. Clare Health Clinic and its Prenatal Assistance program. The drive was coordinated by Carrie Honeycutt, clinic medication program coordinator, and Julie Mallers, clinic nurse practitioner-manager. Backpacks were purchased by Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point and other items were donated by hospital staff members. Children’s gummy vitamins and probiotics were received through St. Clare’s partnership with Americares, a nonprofit disaster and humanitarian aid group that responds to emergency medical needs and supports long-term health care initiatives worldwide. Items also were donated by Staples.
The children filled the 18 backpacks in assembly line fashion with notebooks, folders, loose-leaf paper, pencils, pens, crayons and other essentials. “We have given out many backpacks already and the parents are so grateful and the kids are excited to get a new backpack with supplies,” Honeycutt said. Shown with the supplies are (foreground, from left): Rae Holok, Jackson Holok, Reilly Lustina and Luke Holok. Behind them are Drew Holok and Nick Honeycutt. St. Clare, since 1996, has provided free primary health care and other services for area residents who fall within established income guidelines, are uninsured and are not eligible for government assistance. Donations may be brought to the clinic, 1121 S. Indiana Ave., Crown Point, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, call (219) 663-2160, ext. 263.
