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Mercy Health Center, a volunteer based 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian health clinic that provides care for uninsured individuals in and around Athens, will present “Gunsmoke Gala – An Afternoon of Family Fun” on Saturday, March 24. The event will be held at Tucker Plantation in Colbert, Georgia from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The fundraiser will feature live music by "Duke & Dawn," a country music duo and "Apostles of Bluegrass," as well as cowboy games and activities for children of all ages, square dancing, a barbeque supper, live auction, door prizes, hayrides, and more.

Founded in 2001, Mercy Health Center is staffed almost exclusively by more than 150 volunteers. Located at 112 Park Avenue in Athens, the clinic is open in the evening every other Tuesday and every Thursday to see patients. On Wednesday mornings, the clinic treats patients with chronic conditions, and Wednesday evenings the clinic provides pharmacy refills to Mercy patients. In addition, limited dental services are provided on Fridays by appointment. Since the clinic’s inception, more than 1100 individuals from Athens and the surrounding areas have received care at Mercy.

The uninsured population Mercy serves includes the working poor, unemployed and/or disabled, and homeless. Many of its patients are Spanish-speaking immigrants, making the services of volunteer interpreters vital to its ministry as well as positioning the clinic with the unique opportunity of being the first health care provider that many of Mercy’s Hispanic patients have in the United States.

Funds raised from corporate and individual sponsorships, ticket sales and auction proceeds from the Gunsmoke Gala will go directly to Mercy Health Center to aide in its mission to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual care for low-income uninsured residents in the Athens area.

"Mercy Health Clinic is an invaluable service to our community," said Director Tracy Thompson. "We provide services to those who have no other option for medical care except the ER."

Mercy Health Center’s board of directors operates as its governing body. Composed of medical professionals and community leaders, these volunteers help raise funds and awareness for the organization. According to Board President Paul Chambers, "Mercy is in need of community support, both monetary donations and volunteerism. The Gunsmoke Gala is an ideal opportunity to spend a fun afternoon with your family while supporting the humanitarian efforts this organization provides to area residents."

Tickets for the March 24 event are $40 for adults and $20 for children (children under four years old are free). To purchase tickets for the Gunsmoke Gala benefiting Mercy Health Center, call Karen Schuller at 706.769.9988. Additional information about Mercy Health Center is available online at Mercy Health Center or by calling 706.425.9445.

Everyone has a story to tell. For virtually every product, project or service there is an angle or "hook" to help with promotions, publicity and/or sales. So in this age of junk mail, spam, pop-ups and every other kind of invasive marketing, how can you deliver an authentic message?

Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when you really have a meaningful message to send.

#1 Tell a story that's true and can resonnate with the intended reciever. Consumers aren't only interested in saving money, they are looking for a message to be placed in a meaningful context. Make sure you've selected the appropriate media and you are displaying the correct information.

#2 Delivery is everything. When you create a brand, you are building a promise. You must be prepared to deliver what the brand, and subsequently, the promise, implicates. Make sure the look and feel of the ad, mailer, Web image, or other material fits the product and carries out its intended purpose.

#3 You don't have to scream.Some of the best marketing materials I've ever seen are understated. Always be aware of who your audience is and don't underestimate their intelligence. Shouting car salesmen and bright yellow starbursts (think "hurry limited time offer!) don't tell your audience you appreciate their attention or acumen.

Authentic means genuine, so make sure what you have to say is communicated in the most beneficial way possible to the consumer, otherwise your so-called meaningful message will get tossed along with the rest of the junk mail.

University of Georgia Bulldogs v. Virginia Tech Hokies....Go Dawgs! Saturday, December 30, 6:00 p.m. The Georgia Dome, Atlanta

Recently I attended a joint session of LEAD Athens and Leadership UGA sponsored by the National Issues Forums (NIFI). With a focus of discussing poverty, both here in Athens and on a national scale, the best and brightest students from UGA and community leaders from Athens came together for open and deliberative dialogue. Prompted by a video and booklet produced by NIFI, the group discussed different approaches to help working Americans make ends meet.

Millions of Americans are struggling to stay economically afloat while working full-time, but so many are falling short and cannot make their paychecks stretch to pay the bills for basic necessities. Out of our discussion, came staggering facts and figures, but more importantly, raised awareness, produced discussion and offered the opportunity to get involved.

The group reviewed three approaches introduced by the video which included: stressing personal responsibility, improving employment opportunities and rethinking the safety net. Below are some statistics from the discussion.

• Wages are not keeping up with the continuing rise in the price of basic necessities such as housing and health care
• For each dollar a high school graduate earns, the high school dropout earns only about 75 cents. A college graduate can earn double than one with only a high school diploma and an advanced degree can net nearly four times as much as a high school dropout.
• In 1996, the 30 companies that discharged the most workers gave their CEOs increases in compensation averaging 67%.
• Today, more than 28 million people, about a quarter of the workforce betwen the ages of 18 and 64, earn less than $9.04 an hour, translating into a full-time salary of $18,800 per year - an income that marks the federal poverty line for a family of four.

Interacting with these college students was an interesting and enlightening experience. I was impressed with how much thought and energy they brought to the discussion. While any solution to this issue must be well thought out and cross disciiplines, I am encouraged with the discussions that are taking place. Not only from these talented college students but from our community as a whole.

Partnership for a Prosperous Athens is a commendable initiative that has brought this issue to the forefront. With a poverty rate of 28% in Athens and a near 50% high school dropout rate, not to mention a high number teenage pregnancies, its's become a problem that can no longer be ignored. Some of it's initial findings are quite impressive as well:

• Athens' economy is not diverse enough, thereby limiting jobs and driving down wages.
• Sufficient resources are lacking to meet the training needs of the workforce.
• The average cost for licensed early care and learning centers in Athens for an infant is $118 per week or approximately $5,900 per year.

The findings from this group are integral for creating solutions. While those solutions likely will take time to develop, not to mention begin implementing, it is reassuring to know the discussion has begun, the research is being conducted and a movement is taking place.

Their work is certainly commendable. Read more at www.nifi.or and www.prosperousathens.org.