Stamford, CT, July 10, 2006 - AmeriCares Free Clinics has received a $20,000 grant from the Near and Far Aid Association that will support the general operations of the Norwalk and Bridgeport clinics.  The grant will partially be used to cover costs of patient medications, the recruitment of additional volunteers and the day to day building maintenance expenses.

Near & Far Aid Association is an all-volunteer fund-raising and fund-granting organization dedicated to meeting the critical needs of local communities, primarily within Fairfield County.

The AmeriCares Free Clinics of Norwalk and Bridgeport provide free quality health care to the uninsured residents in their communities.  Most recently, the Norwalk Free Clinic completed the addition of two new patient exam rooms increasing its capacity to five rooms.   Since its opening in 1994, the Norwalk Clinic has provided health care services valued at more than $5 million to 6,500 uninsured residents.  The AmeriCares Free Clinics mobile unit that is now operating in Bridgeport will be replaced by a permanent clinic with five exam rooms, before the end of 2006.   In the past three years, the mobile clinic has delivered nearly $1 million worth of medical services to local residents. 
AmeriCares Free Clinics accepts no federal government funding. Rather, they operate with private donations and volunteer services.  With more than 350 volunteers and partnerships like this, AmeriCares Free Clinics are able to provide quality health care to the uninsured who might otherwise never receive care or treatments.

In addition to the Norwalk and Bridgeport locations, AmeriCares Free Clinics provides medical care to the uninsured in Danbury.  For more information, visit the website at www.americaresfreeclinics.org or call 1-800-486-HELP (4357).