By Susan Shinn

For the Salisbury Post

Thank you.

These two words may seem small, but they can have a mighty big impact. The Community Care Clinic on Monday said thank you to its volunteers and supporters with a Community Thanks dinner at Life Church.

The event was made possible by the church, Novant Health, F&M Bank, Debbie Suggs Catering, and the Pink Peony.

As the evening began with about 100 guests, a slide show played in the dining area with music by James Taylor, “You’ve Got a Friend.”

Over its nearly 20 years of operation, the clinic has been a friend of the community. The slide slow featured the Missions of Mercy Dental clinic, which served 800 people in September 2013; the annual Fashions for a Cause, which raises money for the clinic; a mobile farmers market that served clinic patients this summer; and scenes around the clinic during a typical work day.

Chris Shelton, lead pastor of Life Church, presented a donation to the clinic as its newest community partner.

“We are committed to being a church for our community,” Shelton said. “This is our first donation, but it won’t be the last.”

In her remarks, Krista Woolly, the clinic’s executive director, said that the clinic could not provide the compassionate care that it does without its volunteers and supporters. Woolly recognized the clinic’s board members and staff.

“Their daily work is driven by passion and compassion, not a paycheck,” she said of the staff. “And we have a terrific board. They’re the best board in town. They’re engaged and committed, and bring to the table so many good ideas.”

Woolly noted that 2013 was the clinic’s biggest year by far. Staff saw 2,700 medical appointments, 1,515 dental appointments and dispensed 26,818 prescriptions, for a total of $4.5 million in services on a $600,000 budget.

“Our return on an investment of $1 provides $7.50 in services,” Woolly said. “Again, this year Paul Fisher, I will ask you, is this a good return?”

F&M’s Fisher, sitting right down front, nodded his head vigorously and smiled.

Woolly reported that the clinic’s volunteer base continues to grow, and its facilities have been painted and cleaned by those volunteers. “It is daily we work alongside cheerful and capable volunteers.”

As it did last year, the clinic will work with a navigator to sign patients up for the Affordable Care Act. Last year, some 30 patients received insurance, some of them for the first time, Woolly said. They are no longer patients at the clinic.

“Unfortunately,” she added, “we have 1,200 patients. Free clinics are still important as they always have been.”

Woolly noted that the clinic is beginning a partnership with Good Shepherd Clinic, which operates in the First Baptist Church Ministry Center. Its executive director is Jean Allen.

“We’ve determined unique needs we both have,” Woolly said. The Community Care Clinic will assist the Good Shepherd Clinic by providing medicine, assisting with screenings and providing volunteers.

“We’ve just identified a few ways to help, but I feel like we’re on the right track,” Woolly said.

Woolly noted that the second Missions of Mercy Dental Clinic will take place March 6-7, 2015, at Catawba College’s gym, and said she hoped that just as many patients would be served as in the 2013 event.

Woolly recognized Dr. David Smith, the clinic’s medical director. “David makes each patient and employee feel loved and appreciated.”

He also puts up with an all-female staff, she said.

Sue Freeze, the clinic’s board chairwoman, presented the J. Michael Fuller Volunteer of the Year award to Mary Repsher. Repsher, who retired from nursing in 2013, was called an “angel in disguise” by one patient.

“I enjoy what I’m doing there,” Repsher said. “I can’t imagine being recognized for something I enjoy doing.”

Repsher works with patients to better control their diabetes.

“It has certainly opened my eyes,” Repsher said later. “I was really very surprised and touched. It made me feel more blessed with what I have.”

Woolly presented the Silent Angel award to Fred and Alice Stanback. For 19 years, the Stanback family, beginning with Fred Stanback’s mother, has silently but actively supported the clinic.

Woolly stepped down from the stage to deliver letters written by patients to the couple, who prefer to be low-key in their support and typically shun recognition.

“A little bit of money will go a long way at the clinic,” Alice Stanback said later. “This award was very well done, and we appreciate it. Salisbury has so many wonderful organizations.”

Board member Frank Eason echoed his own congratulations to Repsher and the Stanbacks.

The clinic’s patients, he reminded the group, are everywhere in the community.

“When you see someone put an item back at the grocery store, that’s your patient,” he said. “When someone buys $10 worth of gas, that’s your patient. You see them every day, but without you people in this room, there is no Community Care Clinic. We want you to know how much we appreciate your volunteer work and your donations of money and time.”

Freelance writer Susan Shinn lives in Salisbury.