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Over The Coffeecups
Warren Mitchell - Editor
TODAY'S PROGRAM
George M. "Skip" Graham
was born in Fairfield, AL and moved with his
family to Montgomery in 1960. Skip graduated from Robert E.
Lee High School in 1961 and then attended Memphis State
University (now the University of Memphis), where he received
a Bachelor's Degree in biology and a Master's Degree in
microbiology in 1972. Upon graduation, Skip was employed in
quality assurance with the Quaker Oats Company in Chattanooga,
TN and Chicago, IL and Baxter-Travenol Laboratories in
Cleveland, MS. Skip moved to Montgomery in 1979 to enter the
real estate business. He is currently employed by ALFA
Realty, Inc. as a manager of their commercial real estate
company, and is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)
of the National Association of Realtors.
Skip currently serves as Treasurer of the
Exchange Club of Greater Montgomery, President of the Alabama
Highland Games, Inc., Middle South Commissioner for the Clan
Graham Society and on the Board of the Montgomery Celtic Music
Society. He has served as President of the St. Andrew's
Society of Montgomery, Senior Warden of St. Joseph of
Arimathea Anglican Parish and the Board of the Montgomery
Knife and Fork Club.
Skip and his wife, Diane, met at college and
were married in 1969. They have two sons, Geoffrey and Jason.
His talk will be about the St. Andrew's
Society.
LAST
WEEKS PROGRAM
Bill
Scarborough introduced Sherry
Gardner, a good friend and someone known by several other
members, because of her being coordinator of volunteers for
the Medical Outreach Ministries.
Sherry thanked everyone for inviting her and
seeing many familiar faces. She had asked Charlie and Richard
to pray for her, although she is a big talker, she is not a
speaker. Also she saw the man who signs her paycheck, Frank
Wells.
She thanked Bill and his wife, May, who goes
to the clinic every week and helps the Outreach Ministry.
She said she is new, having been at the Clinic 6 months. She
manages the front office and is the Volunteer Coordinator.
When she was hired, the director, Bob McCory, she asked when
she should start, and was told yesterday. She was hired as
Volunteer Coordinator, but ended up doing 3 jobs, which she
learned to do fast. She was a school teacher for 13 years,
1st grade. Bob told her she could probably handle a lot of
stress. They have a new Director, Dr. Victoria Batman, a very
smart person, and positive; there is a great working
atmosphere.
They are in need of volunteers constantly.
There are 70
regular volunteers that come. Jerry Evelan is one. A hand
out sheet showing jobs was given out. The jobs go from
medical to non-medical. You don't have to be medical to work
at the dispensary, although they do need RN's, LPN's and
retired people from those fields, who have a lot to offer.
The people they serve are the uninsured and
there are about 30,000 uninsured people in the area;
Montgomery, Elmore, and Autauga Counties. They are just
touching a handful of people they serve. She knows many of
the people by name and it is not their fault. For example
there was a woman who had Diabetes and couldn't afford the
medicine or care. People are coming in with chronic
illnesses, because they can't afford the preventive
medicines. The lady who was a diabetic had to have a food
amputated. Her attitude was amazing. She came into the
office after surgery was over and she sees hope. A person
came in who is working to get her a prosthesis. They can
accomplish a lot; one person at a time. People come in who
know they have cancer, know the symptoms, are treated and are
surviving. People come in every day and say they don't know
what they would do without the Outreach Ministries. She
receives calls from outside the area asking if there are other
programs like this. Sherry says there are none that she knows
of. She didn't know about the program until her daughter told
her about the ministries.
Financial help is always needed. Several
churches, Frazier Methodist, Memorial Presbyterian, Vaughn
Road Baptist, Heritage Baptist, and other churches as well;
also individuals help out. They are always in need of
financial and volunteer help.
They have a full pharmacy; donated medicines
as well as ordered medicine. Volunteers handle the order
forms to companies who have programs that supply medicines.
Medicine is gotten from doctors, and individuals. Any
medicine that is not opened will be accepted.
There are 6 staff members; medical director,
clinic administrator, 2 LPN's, 1 RN and herself. There are
100 doctors they send their patients to for treatment.
Volunteer doctors also go to the clinic; some of whom are
retired. They have no dental facility, but parents are sent
to a dentist. That is an area where they need more dentists.
Any dentist that could take a patient a month would be most
welcome, because just a few dentists help.
Sherry said she is amazed at the quality of
volunteers. They are dedicated to the community. People they
see have the least and we have so much. Citizens of
Montgomery are willing to help. Volunteers are told they
can't take off or their pay will be docked. They help each
other, giving of themselves.
The clinic will be closed for a week for
construction. It is located at 88 South Blvd. The building
is need of repair and
is being reconstructed. It is open
Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00.
Most volunteers
serve 1/2 a day. During one day 40 people are seen; the
number depends on doctors present.
People are eligible for service if they make
2% less than the poverty level. Anyone who lives in Sunshine
Housing, as well as persons released from prison. These
people can be served for 6 months, until they are established,
with a job. Former prisoners are treated with dignity, which
surprises the. The mission is to serve them medically and
spiritually.
Sherry invited us to visit and see how they
work. She would be happy for us to come and even volunteer.
The telephone number is 281-2008.
LAST
WEEK'S GUESTS
The following members of the Key Club were
present. President Lauren Samford introduced Tina
Lan, Secretary and Brittany Cobb, Treasurer. It is
always a pleasure having LAMP Key Clubers visit.
ENTERTAINMENT
Al
McLellan
said Lucie Baxter spoke at a meeting and told a
joke; it was a great meeting. He sang a Hank Williams song,
50 years old, "Id Rather Be in a Dark Grave".
ANNOUNCEMENTS
John Roddan was at last week's
meeting. He had been in the hospital, but is OK now.
Pete Summer is home and taking
therapy. We look forward to seeing him.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY
President Winstead had a couple of
questions for us to think about. Why is it that no matter
what the colors of bubble bath, the bubbles are always white?
Is there any day when mattresses aren't on sale? Why do
toasters engrave on the top slice only? Why is it that
plastic garbage bags never open at the end you try? How do
all the bugs get into light fixtures? Why don't you ever hear
father-in-law jokes?
DALRAIDA
SCHOOL
Ken Carrick announced February
12th the kindergarten children will sing for us. Members will
than read to the children at the school. Members will make
pancakes for the students on the A-B honor roll. One little
boy improved his grades; he said "Now I can have pancakes".
PANCAKE
DAY
Ed Melton
said job lists were given out and the first name on the
committee list is the chairman.
El Kidd said if someone from last year
is going to change their ads, please inform him.
PEANUT
Report
El
Kidd said there were 17 bags left. Let customers know
there will be no more peanuts until next year.
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