Roseland
Nelson County, Virginia
Next Tuesday an extraordinary event will be taking place here in Nelson County to benefit the Nelson Dental Clinic, a program under the umbrella of Blue Ridge Medial Center, (BRMC) Free Clinic of Central Virginia, and The Thomas Jefferson Health District. “We are really grateful to the Devils Backbone for their generous offer to host a fundraiser for the Nelson Dental Clinic. And we are looking forward to having a wonderful time on the 22nd,” says Peggy Whitehead, Executive Director of BRMC in Arrington, Virginia.

“The Nelson Dental Advisory Group began meeting in January 2007 to find solutions to the extreme need for dental care that would be accessible and affordable to our low-income uninsured residents. Through a series of serendipitous events, not the least of which was the offer from Mike Sherwood, DDS, to volunteer his services, we were able to open the clinic in March 2008. The Virginia Department of Health donated the trailer in which the clinic is housed, along with some funding to move it and help with repairs. The Rockfish Valley Community Center allowed us to place the clinic on their property. The Free Clinic of Central Virginia offered to handle the personnel (volunteer dentist and paid assistant), also providing malpractice coverage for the program. Blue Ridge Medical Center took on the responsibility of moving and repairing the trailer, upkeep of the facility, and provision of supplies and equipment. We had the help of many fine volunteers, including people from Building for Goodness who constructed the ramp for handicapped accessibility. Bo Holland from Rockfish Valley Community Center has been an amazing resource as we have coped with technology hassles, leaks, and electrical issues. The Free Clinic helped BRMC get started with ordering because they have such great resources for non-profit dental operations,” Peggy continues.

Eventually Blue Ridge Medical Center will establish a full-time dental clinic at its site in Colleen.

On September 22nd, DBBC will contribute a portion of the total day’s revenue to the dental program. The afternoon entertainment will kick off with Jennifer Kirkland & Bert Carlson. The evening will highlight very popular singer/songwriter Jan Smith.