Press Release

January 15, 2008

CONTACT:

Danielle Fiori: 203-658-9579
Peggy Atherlay: 203-658-9626

AmeriCares Free Clinics Receive Grant From the Fairfield County Community Foundation

Stamford, CT—AmeriCares Free Clinics has received a $25,000 grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation in support of the Norwalk, Danbury and Bridgeport clinics. The general operating grant will support the clinics’ expenses to include medications for the patients, recruitment of additional volunteers and help cover the cost of malpractice insurance for the volunteer medical staff.

The Fairfield County Community Foundation, based in Wilton, CT was founded in 1992 to serve the many communities within Fairfield County. The foundation focuses on education and youth development, economic opportunity, health and human services, arts and culture, the environment and strengthening local nonprofit organizations. Since 1994, the AmeriCares Free Clinics has delivered nearly $17 million worth of medical services to 15,000 uninsured patients. To better meet the needs of their communities, the Danbury and Norwalk clinics have expanded their facilities, and most recently, AmeriCares Free Clinics opened a permanent clinic in Bridgeport after operating a mobile medical unit for area residents for the last three years.

AmeriCares Free Clinics accepts no federal government funding. Rather, they operate with private donations and volunteer services. With more than 350 volunteers and partnerships, AmeriCares Free Clinics is able to provide quality health care and diagnostic services to the uninsured who might otherwise never receive care or treatments.

For more information on AmeriCares Free Clinics, visit the website at www.americaresfreeclinics.org or call 1-800-486-HELP (4357).

AmeriCares Free Clinics is a community program of AmeriCares, a nonprofit international relief organization that delivers medicines, medical supplies and aid to people in crisis around the world. Since 1982, AmeriCares has distributed more than $7 billion in humanitarian aid to 137 countries. For six years in a row, AmeriCares has been given a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest possible rating, indicating effective management practices. For more information, log onto www.americares.org.

The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of philanthropy to strengthen local communities and the region. Since 1992, it has awarded over $61 million in grants, including $8.3 million awarded last year. More than 4,700 individuals and organizations have established charitable funds and contribute to existing funds that support education and youth development, economic opportunity, health and human services, arts and culture, the environment, and strengthening local nonprofit organizations. The community foundation also provides philanthropic advisory services and develops initiatives to address critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations. The Fairfield County Community Foundation is merging with the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation in January 2008. Combined net assets will approach $150 million. Visit www.fccfoundation.org or call 203.834.9393.