Created: 3/16/2010 8:07:09 AM 
Reidsville, NC -- Miss USA, Kristen Dalton will be the special guest at a local charity gala. The Free Clinic of Rockingham County, Inc. and Chinqua Penn Plantation will host The Snowflake Ball, an evening of elegance and caring on March 20, 2010, with all proceeds benefitting the Free Clinic.
A proud sponsor of this black tie optional gala, Chinqua Penn Plantation in Reidsville will serve as the historic backdrop on Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 7:00 to 11:00pm for a magical evening beginning with a first floor tour of the historic countryside mansion on the way to a grant tent filled with superb food and beverage, an extensive silent auction, and dancing to the glorious sounds of big band music. The Free Clinic of Rockingham County, Inc. has continually set the bar for exquisite charitable galas, and this year is no exception.
Building upon The Snowflake Ball in 2008, specific changes have been made to provide an even grander experience for patrons including a deluxe heating system inside the grand outdoor tent, more restroom facilities, and a professional shuttle service to and from the mansion. With great excitement, gala attendees will welcome special guest, Miss USA, Kristen Dalton whose appearance is sponsored by Windsor Jewelers of Winston-Salem.
All proceeds benefit The Free Clinic of Rockingham County, Inc. which provides basic medical, dental, and pharmacy care to low income, working citizens of Rockingham County who are without any form of health insurance. Leslie Deaton, Executive Director of the Clinic, says "Our patients are those who fall through the cracks...caught between being insured and government assistance. We proudly become their medical home."
Over 20 percent of Rockingham County citizens often suffer in silence -- those who are employed, temporarily on unemployment, or disabled but have no resources to provide for their needed healthcare. In response to the worst economic downturn in decades, medical visits to the Clinic were up 24 percent in 2009 and hundreds of life sustaining medications were filled at no cost to patients. The Clinic is totally dependent upon private donations from the community and grants from charitable trusts and foundations. It accepts no government funding.
Tickets for this year's gala are limited and are on sale for $50 each. Tickets may be purchased by calling 336-627-1127 until Wednesday, MArch 17 at noon.
About Chinqua Penn Plantation:
Chinqua Penn Plantation, acclaimed as an architectural American treasure, was the home of tobacconist, Jeff Penn and his wife Betsy and reflects their lifestyle of entertaining, traveling, and collecting art and furniture from around the world. Constructed near the turn of the 19th century, the 27 room English countryside mansion is filled with elaborate furnishings from 30 countries, surrounded by 22 acres of beautiful gardens and historic landscape. The estate showcases the state's premier collection of eclectic decorative arts. Located at 2138 Wentworth Street in Reidsville, it was purchased by entrepreneur Calvin Phelps in 2006 who re-opened the facilities for tours and special events.
About The Free Clinic of Rockingham County, Inc.:
In May 1998, The Free Clinic of Reidsville &Vicinity, Inc. opened its doors to a 6 mile service radius in Reidsville to target those individuals who were employed and without any form of healthcare coverage including Medicaid or Medicare. As a result of the uninsured healthcare crisis in Rockingham County, The Clinic's Board of Directors expanded the service radius in October 2005 to incorporate the entire county and changed its name accordingly to recognize its new service population. Relying on the generous professional and nonprofessional support of caring volunteers, The Free Clinic of Rockingham County, Inc. is open two evenings a week for medical, dental, and pharmacy services. A licensed Physician Assistant offers chronic disease management weekly during daytime hours.
WFMY News 2
