RENOVO - The Bucktail Medical Center's plea for financial help has been heard around the community.
In the days following news that BMC is in dire need of help, the news of private individuals and area organizations holding fundraisers - from bake sales to softball tournaments - has spread throughout the town.
One of the first and most unselfish acts announced is by the Chapman Township Volunteer Fire Co., whose members decided last week that they will donate all the proceeds from their Super Bingo, set to take place Saturday, March 13, to the BMC.
The Bingo event has been the second biggest fundraiser of the year the last several years for the fire company.
The decision to donate proceeds from Super Bingo came as the group discussed the BMC's situation, according to Chapman financial secretary Bill Probst.
"This is why we exist, to help the community. Well, the medical center is a key staple in our community," said Probst. "The members of the company understand how much work is involved in raising money."
Indeed, the fire company is a nonprofit group itself, so donating the proceeds is no small decision for their financial future.
Like all of the nonprofit groups of the area, plans are routinely made not to overlap fundraisers with other organizations. Just as importantly, those fundraisers allow all of the area organizations to meet their annual budgets. Simply put, there is only so much charity to go around anywhere, let alone a small town.
Chapman Fire Chief John Tarantella, however, said this year, it is all about the town's priorities.
"We'll be alright. This needs done and hopefully other groups can follow suit," Tarantella said
Probst agreed.
"The fire company, like many other volunteer organizations, relies on the support of the community. If the people do not support the emergency services, they will not be able to survive. However, the vote was unanimous in helping the BMC this year."
The medical center's service to the community runs deep.
In fact, Probst noted that, during discussions on how to help the BMC, Chapman member Helen Newlen literally credited the hospital with saving her life.
"Members reflected on how the medical center has helped them, a family member, or a friend. We cannot afford to lose it," he said.
"Our Super Bingo has been very successful in recent years, so we hope to be able to help out this year," added Tarantella, noting that all proceeds - including food sales - will go directly to Bucktail Medical Center.
The medical center is integral to the quality of life in rural Western Clinton County.
Indeed, Helen Newlen's story is an example of howt lives depend on BMC's own survival, community officials say.
The center offers a 24-hour emergency department, a primary practice clinic with roughly 2,500 patients on record, lab services, basic radiology services, and occupational, physical and speech therapy. It has 21 beds on the hospital side and 43 beds in its nursing home.
And beyond the critical services it provides, BMC employs 100 people in the equivalent of about 70 full-time positions.
But dwindling Medicare and other reimbursements, a sluggish economy and gradual decrease in population in Western Clinton County have combined to hit the 100-year-old medical center hard.
Chapman's Super Bingo will be held at the Chapman Township Fire Hall on March 13. Advanced tickets are $30; tickets at the door will be $35.
There will be a limited number of tickets due to space.
The jackpot will be $1,000.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and bingo will start at 6:30 p.m.
Contact Sue Smith at 570-923-1073 for tickets.
Food and beverages will be available.
"Come out, enjoy the evening and help the medical center," Probst asked area residents.
