Editor’s Note: The Citizen carried a story last week about a free medical clinic being planned in Lehigh Acres that would serve all of Lee County. The following is written by the group’s president, Dr. Stephen Schroering who with others have come up with the idea for the free clinic.

By DR. STEPHEN SCHROERING

A few days after the devastating earthquake in Haiti that leveled the capital city of Port-au- Prince, an elderly woman walked cautiously, so as not to stumble, and entered the administrative office of Lehigh Regional Medical Center. She handed the executive secretary a check for $20 for our collection center for Haitian Relief. She apologized for what she considered to be a meager contribution but said she would be back to contribute more as soon as her Social Security check would arrive.

What is it that drives us to give even when we personally have so little or if we have abundance?

Charity is not easily defined by some. This article is not about Haiti but is about a newly formed charitable organization in Lee County by the name of Lee County Volunteers in Medicine. I use this example only to prove a point that giving of oneself, no matter how big or how small can make a huge difference in the life of others.

Charity is giving unselfishly. It’s about treating people as if they were what they ought to be, and help them become what they are capable of being.

Charitable services is the very purpose of life. We must be the change we wish to see in the world. Even the little lady above has contributed to the well-being and nurturing of the less fortunate.

She understands that a life lived just to satisfy yourself is a life not lived. She understands that goodness is the only investment that never fails. She understands that the only one person in the world that can defeat you is yourself.

Furthermore, she understands that your true wealth is the good that you do in this world for your fellow man.

Never believe that a few caring people, just like this beautiful caring woman, can’t change the world; for, indeed, that’s all whoever have. So true charity is the desire to be useful to others without thought of recompense. It gives faith and instills hope and it heals.

Everyday in Lee County and all over the United States we all encounter the less fortunate. It may be a friend, a co-worker, an unknown person, or even a family member. These are people suffering deeply, most beyond their control.

We can’t just simply turn our back, a blind eye and a deaf ear. Poverty has the inevitable consequence of dependence.

These people are dependent on our help and we are, as humans for mankind, responsible to help and lift them up. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

We all underestimate the importance of our health and take it for granted. If we are unhealthy we can’t be productive and may not be able to work. We may not be able to provide for our families. Not being able to provide food, clothing, shelter and health insurance for our families and loved ones has the consequence of unhealthy family members.

Being sick without insurance often causes people to wait until they are in dire straits and then come to the hospital. These people are then often admitted to the hospital with prolonged hospital stays causing serious financial strife.

The inability to pay for your healthcare is one of the most financially devastating catastrophes that occurs in a family’s life and is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy then causes complete family collapse and leads to social and humanitarian support and has a negative consequence on all of us. It is a viscous cycle with dire results.

Never before has man had such a great capacity to control our environment, to end hunger, poverty and to banish human misery. Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience and just plain love for one another.

Lee County Volunteers in Medicine was formed by a group of concerned and caring community citizens and leaders that understands these principles. They understand that without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community. They understand that caring for the sick and unhealthy is incumbent on society as a whole.

Lee County Volunteers in Medicine is in its infancy and is planning and developing a free medical clinic for all residents of Lee County that will be in Lehigh Acres.

It is a clinic for the uninsured, under – insured, the impoverished and the working poor.

It is a completely free medical clinic that is supported by personal and corporate contributions and grants.

No form of payment will be accepted and no insurance will be accepted.

The clinic will have state-of-the-art technology and has the support of our local physicians, Lehigh Regional Medical Center, and HMA Inc., which is the parent company of the hospital.

We are currently in a fund-raising phase to raise enough money to hire an executive director who will be a full-time employee and responsible for fundraising, grant writing, administrative and clinical duties within the clinic.

The medical staff and executive staff at Lehigh Regional Medical Center have already committed monthly funds to this goal; however, we are still searching for four other contributors that can donate at least $1,000 per month to help us achieve this objective.

Our free health clinic is in in its infancy and is expected to open its doors in six to 12 months.

During that time we will sponsor several fundraising events and we are hoping that this community, as well as all of Lee County will be fully supportive and give unselfishly to our support.

We all have an obligation to be of sound morale principle. The real test of this is if you were to sell your character, would you get full retail price, or would you go for a bargain – basement price? There is no experience better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.

If compelled to make a difference in thousands of lives, please give generously. It is easy in charity to give away what you don’t want but true charity requires giving away what you do want.

You can donate by sending a fully tax deductible check to: Lee County Volunteers in Medicine, 1328 Homestead Rd. North, Lehigh Acres, FL., 33936. You can also visit our website at Leecountyvim.com. The true essence of humankind is kindness. There are other qualities, which come from education or knowledge, but it is essential, if one wishes to be a genuine human being and impart satisfying meaning to one’s existence, to have a good heart.