Momentum continues to build for the opening of a community free clinic in Belton. Since the informational meeting on February 4 the Missions Committee recommended the church approve the agreement with ECHO and proceed with efforts to enlist community support to open the free clinic in Belton.

On February 9, the deacons enthusiastically endorsed the agreement and the community free clinic. The afternoon of February 15, the Strategic Planning Council endorsed the free clinic and the agreement with ECHO. That same evening during the regularly scheduled church business conference the members present voted unanimously to proceed with the efforts to open a community free clinic using the assistance offered by ECHO. Based on that action, the chairman of the trustees, Mike Miller, signed the formal agreement and it was forward to ECHO on February 16.

That agreement cleared the way for our ECHO consultant, John Mills, to return for a second open meeting on March 2 at 6:00 p.m. in room 255, the same location as the first meeting on with ECHO President Tim Dammon and ECHO VP Mark Cruise. The purpose of this meeting is to provide additional information on the process and where we are in it and to enlist more support for more organizations and members of the community.

Efforts continue on the floor plan of the free clinic inside the new Helping Hands building. Architect Larry Neal is assisting with that process. Other teams are working to define the needs within the clinic service area (which coincides with the Belton Independent School District), to establish formal relationships and agreements with all area clinics, hospitals and pharmacies, and to write grants to fund the renovations and operational costs for the first 18 months.

Come join the effort and get in on the excitement of this great project that will help so many of those in our area who are unable to afford health care.