Walworth County Fair goers witnessed a flash mob performed by the Open Arms Free Clinic Volunteer Outreach Team on Aug. 29.
Over 100 volunteers prepared the joyful expression of outreach to the The Greatest Showman movie soundtrack song, “Come Alive” under the direction of The Dance Factory Choreographer, Garrett Vopendesta.
Larry Gaffey, general manager for the Walworth County Fairgrounds, said he was excited for the opportunity.
“We are always looking for ways to support the community and bring excitement to the fair. The performance by Open Arms fit perfectly with this year’s theme, ‘Country Nights and Carnival Lights,’” Gaffey said.
Sara Nichols, executive director for Open Arms Free Clinic said she is living her dream and shared how she came up with the idea for the flash mob.
“Years ago I dreamed of running a public health community clinic and I was given this opportunity to live my dream after meeting Fr. Dan Sanders, founder of Open Arms Free Clinic”, Nichols said.
“My soul’s purpose is to provide opportunities for individuals to live their dream. When I heard the song “Come Alive” and the story behind P.T. Barnum, there was a flash idea that we need to be bigger in telling the story of Open Arms Free Clinic,” she added.
Open Arms is a volunteer-driven, donor-supported free medical clinic that has served more than 2,500 patients in the five years since it opened however, Nichols said, many people aren’t aware of the clinic or what it does.
“There are over 8,000 people in Walworth County who don’t have health insurance. Where are they getting their medical care? There are hundreds of retirees in the community. Have they found purposeful use of their time and talents? I asked our courageous volunteers to be bold and get people to take notice, thus the flash mob at the county fair,” Nichols said.
She said the clinic has grown significantly due to the generous support of volunteers and donors.
“With over 5,500 patient visits last year, our neighbors in need are receiving care with dignity and respect,” Nichols said.
Open Arms Free Clinic is the first and only volunteer-driven, donor-supported, free primary medical clinic in Walworth County serving low-income and uninsured residents with medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, lab, and pharmaceutical assistance.
Created in December 2011, and expanded in April 2015, Open Arms is an independent, community-based, not-for-profit 501c3 charitable organization with a mission to better understand and serve with compassion the health and wellness needs of the uninsured, low income, and underserved residents of Walworth County. With 200 volunteers donating 12,000 hours annually, the clinic has cared for more than 2,500 patients to date.
Providers – all volunteers – at the clinic are comprised of: medical doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, lab technicians, counselors, advocates and interpreters.
Services available, at no cost to qualifying patients, include: primary medical care, specialty consults, dental exams and cleanings, counseling, vision exams, lab, medications and care coordination.
Open Arms Free Clinic is at 205 E. Commerce Ct., Elkhorn. For more information call 262-379-1401 or visit openarmsfreeclinic.org.
