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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

PELHAM – Community of Hope Health Clinic in Pelham has been selected as a Legacy Builder finalist for the C.M. Newton Classic on Tuesday, Nov. 20.

Out of the 10 finalists, four organizers will be chosen for the grand prize and will be recognized at the Alabama vs. Illinois basketball game. Additionally, those in the top four will receive a $2,500 donation and get a free marketing video produced which will be shown at the game.

The Community of Hope Health Clinic is a free, charitable clinic that assists Shelby County residents who are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line guidelines and that do not have access to private insurance or government benefits.

“Even though Shelby County is the most affluent county in the state of Alabama, there are still needs that must be met for the indigent population,” said Justin Johnston, executive director of Community of Hope Health Clinic. “We provide services for those needs in the form of healthcare. The infrastructure of our everyday lives is dependent on a healthy workforce and we strive to make sure that everyone is able to get the healthcare they need and deserve.”

Johnston shared that the organization studied ways to develop new relationships during its strategic planning session in August and the Community of Hope Health Clinic’s naming as a finalist could provide an opportunity.

“One such way for us to do that is marketing and the exposure to being recognized as a Legacy Builder for the C.M. Newton Classic,” Johnston said. “(That) would give us the kind of exposure we need to get our foot in the door of many businesses and churches that didn’t know about us before.”

Voting for finalists to be at the C.M. Newton Classic are advanced through voting. The C.M. Newton Classic accounts will post a graphic highlighting Community of Hope Health Clinic as a top ten finalist with instructions on how to vote. One like on the post highlighting the Community of Hope Health Clinic on Instagram or X, counts as one vote. A share on X or Instagram counts as two votes.

The top four organizations who receive the grand prize will be determined by whichever groups receive the highest number of votes at the end of the voting period.

“The (prize) donation definitely would help, but the relationships and the exposure we could get from something like the C.M. Newton Classic’s Legacy Builders would be even better,” Johnston said. “We want the Shelby County community to know what we are doing and hopefully, that will let a lot of the community know what we are able to accomplish. The fact that we’ve been in operation for more than 16 years now and there are still a lot in the community who don’t know about us is a travesty. We want to change that.”

Voting will take place from Tuesday, Oct. 29 through Thursday, Oct. 31. The Legacy Builder campaign aims to highlight nonprofits in the Birmingham area who are building a legacy focused on diversity and inclusion initiatives. Finalists for the program will be recognized before the Alabama vs. Illinois basketball game on Nov. 20 at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham.

The Community of Hope Health Clinic is located at 1970 Chandalar Office Park Circle in Pelham and more information can be found on the business’s website at Communityofhopeclinic.com.

“We thank God that we are able to open every single day,” Johnston said. “We are blessed to have many great partners including Shelby County, other nonprofits, many business and most importantly, the faith community. We do this out of our love for our common man. Our faith tells us that everyone should be respected and love on and we are just glad to be able to provide that love to those who need it most.”