By BETH CHAPMAN / Community Columnist

The Community of Hope Health Clinic recently held its first fundraiser at Pelham’s First Baptist Church Annex with about 100 people attending.

The fundraiser was held to raise awareness of the free medical services the clinic is offering to citizens of Shelby County who are uninsured.

Since its opening in 2008, the clinic has served more than 2,000 uninsured individuals living in Shelby County.

The CHHC offers routine, non-emergency, preventative medical care to the 10 percent of Shelby County citizens who are uninsured. It is a faith-based clinic, which is supported by members of the community: churches, civic groups, volunteers, foundations, public agencies and individual and corporate sponsors.

The clinic is open on Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Department of Public Health building, 2000 County Services Drive in Pelham. Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Only a limited number of medical tests are available at the center at this time.

The CHHC volunteer staff members work closely with other local medical entities to refer patients who require special medical attention via a medical referral network they have established in the community.

As does any nonprofit organization, the CHHC is always looking for volunteers to assist them in their mission to serve more people in more ways. They need both medical and non-medical volunteers who will receive training to help them ensure the highest quality of medical care possible for those who otherwise would not have any.

Of specific interest in their recruiting efforts are registered nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, licensed residents or fellows in training. They also offer an opportunity for medical students to participate in providing medical care under the supervision of licensed medical professionals.

For more information on the CHHC, visit Communityofhope.org or call Executive Director Chris Monceret at 685-4154.

Beth Chapman, Alabama’s secretary of state, is a Shelby County resident and writes a weekly column for the Shelby County Reporter. You can reach her at bethchapman@bellsouth.net.