19 Aug 2020 Community of Caring

For more than 20 years, Unity Health has helped those in need through A Day of Caring. Due to COVID-19, the 24th Annual A Day of Caring was renamed Community of Caring. The event mission was the same – to help provide the uninsured and underinsured in and around White County with both medical and non-medical services and goods.

“We knew Community of Caring had to look different this year, but we still wanted to help those in need,” said Unity Health Interim Foundation Lead Anna Brumfield. “This mission means a great deal to Unity Health and our community.”

This year, participants had the opportunity to receive free school supplies, Bibles, groceries, personal care items, doctor exams, blood sugar checks, pap exams, medical information and depression screenings.

“COVID-19 presented several challenges when planning this year’s event, but it was important to help no matter how many people came through. Even if this mission helps one person, it is worth it,” Brumfield said.

To comply with guidelines from the CDC and Arkansas Health Department, many safety measures were put in place for Community of Caring, including a no contact drive-thru where participants remained in their vehicles while volunteers placed items in the trunks of cars. All volunteers wore masks and were screened upon arrival. They sanitized between each vehicle and medical exams were at a separate clinic location.

“These are difficult times for everyone and we have seen our community come together and support one another,” Brumfield said. “Community of Caring is neighbors helping neighbors and that is what we need right now.”