Non-profit Spotlight: Angels Care Center of Eloise
Angels Care Center of Eloise is a free, faith-based medical clinic and care center. It is located at 960 Snively Ave., Eloise, Fl. The Clinic opened in March of 2011, and in the three and a half years since we’ve opened, we have had more than 5,200 visits from patients.
Primarily serving the Eloise community and surrounding areas, about 75 percent of our patients are of Hispanic background, many of whom are indigent and members of migrant families. All of the patients that we serve have no medical health insurance and their income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
The clinic is open every Tuesday night starting at 4 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. About 25 patients are seen each night. We are strictly a primary care clinic that provides diagnostic care, follow up, and treatment.
Also, we offer a diabetes clinic on the second Wednesday of each month and a dermatology clinic on the fourth Thursday of each month.
Each night that we are open we have about two to three doctors, five to seven nurses, seven to eight translators, two intake counselors, and one receptionist, all who all volunteer their time and talents.
Last year, more than 250 volunteers contributed their time and expertise to make our clinic successful in meeting the needs of those who sought services.
Dr. Rick Honer of Gessler Clinic is our volunteer medical director. We have two part-time paid staff, including Clinical Director, Mary Weppelman, and Assistant Clinical Director, Vianca Monroy.
Larry and Janey Powell are the cofounders of the clinic and Larry serves as the president of the board of directors. The clinic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has formed partnerships with 12 local churches to provide volunteers and financial support.
Winter Haven Hospital provides laboratory tests and X-rays; many of the hospital’s medical staff also volunteer their time. Nursing students from Polk State College and Florida Southern College come and do clinical practice for their classes. The clinic receives partial funding from the Polk County HealthCare Plan half-cent indigent-care sales tax and the GiveWell Community Foundation.
“God’s People Caring for God’s People” is our motto. In addition to free health care, one of the ways we show God’s love to each patient who visits our clinic is by giving them a toiletry kit, and first aid kit.
Toiletry kits include small samples of shampoo, soap, deodorant, razors, toothbrush and toothpaste, and combs. First aid kits include band aids, wet wipes, washcloths, Q-tips, bacterial soap, Kleenex, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Each child also receives a children’s Jesus Kit. Children “Jesus Kits” consist of coloring sheets with biblical themes, crayons, stickers, small books, play dough, toy cars, and stuffed animals.
All kit items are donated on a monthly basis by individuals in the community, including student groups, churches, medical providers, and businesses.
A helpful way anyone in the community can financially help Angels Care Center of Eloise is simply by eating at the Ruby Tuesday restaurant, located at 5995 Cypress Gardens Blvd. in Winter Haven, on the first Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of each month, and notifying the server or manager they are eating for Angel’s Care Center. Twenty percent of the bill will go directly to help us in our mission as a way to raise needed funds.
Through Ruby Tuesday’s program we have received donations totaling more than $6,000 during the past two years.
For more information, to volunteer or donate, email angelscarecenterofeloise@gmail.com. President Larry Powell can be reached at 863-324-5264, or the clinic’s office at 863-875-5595. Donations can also be mailed to Angels Care Center, P.O. Box 9211, Winter Haven, Fl. 33883.