SALISBURY — Two people were honored at Monday night’s 10th annual Community Thanks dinner for volunteers and donors to the Community Care Clinic.

The organization presents two awards annually, the Volunteer of the Year award and the Fred and Alice Stanback Silent Angel award.

The Community Care Clinic, entering its 30th year in operation, provides free primary medical care, dental care and pharmacy services for uninsured Rowan County adults. Part of the goal of the clinic is to help divert patients who might otherwise seek care only from the emergency room because they have no other options. In the last year, it was estimated the clinic saved Novant Health Rowan Medical Center about $4 million in diverting patients for care to the clinic.

Dr. Amy Wilson, medical director for the clinic, is certified in Lifestyle Medicine and she spoke to guests at the dinner about the “innovative way to practice medicine and reverse chronic disease.” The clinic offers Wellness Wednesdays in its lobby that includes taste testing for a healthier diet and activities for a healthier lifestyle. Wilson invited a volunteer from Wellness Wednesdays to share his story, not just about his work at the clinic, but about how the clinic affected his entire life.

“I’m alive because of this clinic,” said Andy Basinger. He described a trip to the beach where he burned the bottoms of his feet, then practiced self care instead of getting medical treatment because he had no insurance. Eventually, he said his girlfriend made him find a clinic. Wilson, he said, informed him that every level on every lab test they ran “was bad. But at the time I was still drinking a pint of whiskey and smoking half a pack of cigarettes every day.” Eventually, he developed an infection in one of his toes and it had to be amputated. During the recovery, he decided it was time to change his life, using the Lifestyle Medicine and guidance from Wilson.

“I expanded into Medicaid, but the clinic asked if I would come back to volunteer on Wellness Wednesdays, and about every other week, I’m there,” he said.

Basinger started to take a seat, but Wilson asked him to stay, then asked Mike Fuller, a board member who has been involved in the clinic from its beginning, to join her in presenting Basinger the Volunteer of the Year award.

“You are truly inspiring to all of us at the clinic, and now to our patients, who you are sharing your recipes and your story with,” said Wilson. “I would like to say that the hard work you did to regain your health is impressive and we were and are honored to be part of your team.”

The clinic’s Executive Director Krista Woolly took a moment to ask that the staff present at the dinner be recognized, then called Debbie Hill, the clinic’s dental coordinator, to the podium to help present the Silent Angel award.

“As usual, surprising this award winner has been tough, and maybe a few white lies have been told to make this presentation possible and I apologize,” said Woolly.

She explained that when Gordon Hurley’s wife, Carolyn, died in 2021, he wanted to do something to honor her. Carolyn was a teacher and community activist, always working to help others, and Gordon wanted to continue that in her name. Woolly said he talked to his neighbor, Frank Eason, about an idea involving dental care for patients.

“Many of our patients come to us having never seen a dentist or haven’t in many years,” said Woolly. “Our dental staff will tell you that the plaque buildup can be tremendous and after they clean their teeth, the best way to keep the teeth and gums healthy is the daily use of an electric toothbrush. Problem is, we could buy hundreds of regular toothbrushes for the cost of one electric.”

She said thanks to Gordon, for the last three years that all eligible patients have had the opportunity to have an electric toothbrush. Since that time, dental staff reports that patients using these toothbrushes are coming back with overall better oral hygiene.

“You do so much in this community and have for many, many years,” said Woolly. “Your spirit of philanthropy and love for your neighbor is to be commended.”

“I don’t deserve it, but I thank you,” said Gordon, who received a standing ovation.

Woolly then thanked all the sponsors of the dinner, including F & M Bank, Novant Health, Catawba College and the Party Peeps of Shari Graham and Henderlite.

Three members of the board who are rotating off this year were also recognized and thanked for service. Board co-chairs Dr. Brett Hanson and Fran Misner were both on the board when the clinic weathered COVID-19, and “helped us stay on course and supported our efforts when we weren’t sure that we could go on any longer,” said Woolly.

The third board member who is departing this year is Enid Rodriguez, who has filled the seat on the board reserved for a current patient.

“This model serves us well as we make policy and procedural decisions that ultimately affect the patients to some degree,” said Woolly. “Enid is the founder of the “Thoughtfulness Committee” of the board, one that lifts up and celebrates the milestones in the staffs’ lives.”

Rodriguez said she saw the clinic both as a patient, who took advantage of all the clinic had to offer, and a board member.

“I want to thank each one of you for your support of an organization that works miracles every day,” she said. “My health has improved 120 percent and I now am able to be more productive and positive. You’ve changed my life and the lives of so many other deserving people.”