By Mark Ambrogi
The Trinity 500 fundraiser is fast approaching. Fast is the operative word since the event has an Indy 500 motif.
The purpose of the fundraiser is to raise funds for the Trinity Free Clinic pediatric patients next year. The clinic, which serves all of Hamilton County, was established 15 years ago on the campus of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Carmel. The Trinity Free Clinic is not affiliated with OLMC but is a separate nonprofit.
“We are racing to provide for the children in our community,” said Dina Ferchmin, executive director for Trinity Free Clinic.
The Trinity 500 fundraiser will be held from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on April 24 at the Ritz Charles Garden Pavilion, 12156 N. Meridian St., Carmel.
“We provide free medical and dental care for the low-income and uninsured residents of Hamilton County,” Ferchmin said. “It’s done with a staff of 500 active volunteers. We take care of about 4,000 patients a year and of those, 20 percent are children. We provide all their immunizations. We’re basically the urgent care for the low-income children of Hamilton County. They come when they get sick. Our average patient comes from a family of four and makes $17,000 a year. If you are making $17,000 and your child gets strep throat, you can spend $100 to go to the minute clinic or you can buy groceries for the week. That’s why we exist.”
Ferchmin shared a story of a Hamilton County high school student who broke his hand, but parents couldn’t afford a hand surgeon so Trinity Free Clinic stepped in to help when notified by a school nurse.
The night includes catered dining, drinks, silent auction and live music featuring The Company Band. Tickets are $85 and are available at trinityfreeclinic.org/the-trinity-500.
