Anderson Free Clinic Continues to Walk the Walk for Those in Need
Greg Wilson, The Anderson Observer
In the cool of the morning, more than 200 volunteers and supporters of the Anderson Free Clinic celebrated the organization’s biggest annual fundraiser, Walk with the Docs, downtown Saturday.
Over the past 37 years, the community event has raised more than $2.7 million for the clinic, with participants walking a combined 7,500 miles.
"This is our big fundraiser of the year," said Tammie Collins, Executive Director of the Anderson Free Clinic.
The Anderson walk comes on the heels of the Honea Path walk, which took place last week. The Free Clinic maintains a satellite clinic on Main Street in downtown Honea Path to serve that community.
For those who cannot attend Saturday's event, Collins emphasized that support is still deeply appreciated. Community members can participate by purchasing this year's green event t-shirt online at AndersonFreeclinic.org.
The tradition of the walk has deep roots. Dr. Harry Morse, one of the founders of the Anderson Free Clinic, said the inaugural walk 38 years ago started at the Catholic Church and went around Belleview on a particularly hot day that featured the Hannah and Westside marching bands, which proved to be a bit too much for the kids in their heavy uniforms.
Dr. Morse, who has been working with the Free Clinic for over 40 years, helped start the organization whenAnderson County lacked health care options for poor, uninsured individuals. The need became critical when local textile mills closed, leaving workers with only a month's salary and no health insurance.
"These were some of the finest human beings you'd ever meet," Morse said. He explained that while doctors could treat them in the hospital, patients could not afford follow-up care with a family doctor or the money to buy medication upon returning home.
After placing an ad in the local paper seeking concerned citizens, Morse met local legend Roy Coffee, a retired Lowenstein textile executive and community leader. Morse credits Coffee's community connections and persuasive "sweet southern drawl" with getting everyone to rally behind the project.
"Roy Coffin was really the moving personality who made this clinic a reality," Morse noted.
Reflecting on decades of service, Morse views his work as a reciprocal blessing.
"It tells us in the scriptures somewhere it's more blessed to give than to receive, and when you have a chance to help, you really receive more from them than they receive from you," Morse said. "It's a real gift to be able to work together... we help each other".
