Essential-needs programs help low-income families and individuals navigate the moments when a limited budget is forced to absorb an expense that cannot be postponed: a utility deposit, children’s shoes, winter coats, hygiene supplies – or even a medical visit – notes Americans Helping Americans® executive director Cameron Krizek.
Starting six years ago, to help provide medical treatment to uninsured, indigent residents of White County, Georgia, Americans Helping Americans® began providing grant funding to the Community Helping Hands Clinic (CHHC) in the small town of Cleveland.
In July 2020, CHHC executive director Gene White reached out to Cameron seeking financial support for the free health clinic, explaining that 16 percent of the adult population of the county is uninsured, and 14 percent of families fall below the federal poverty line.
In addition, there is no hospital located in the county, and at that time the current statistics showed that there were 4,130 residents per primary care physician, more than 2.5 times the Georgia state figure of 1,520 and nearly 10 times the national average of 435 residents per physician.
“The need is very great here,” said Gene in his grant request.
He went on to explain that the nonprofit clinic “depends heavily on public fundraising events for a major portion of its operating revenue, several of which may be cancelled or delayed due to COVID-19.
“The pandemic is also increasing clinic costs as more residents become uninsured and/or lose income due to job losses.
“We anticipate this will increase our patient load,” he said, adding that he was reaching out to Americans Helping Americans® “for funds to help mitigate what we anticipate may be a major financial shortfall.”
In response, thanks to the supporters of Americans Helping Americans®, we were able to provide (a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization) with a grant of $10,000 to help support its operations and charitable mission.
In July 2021, Gene reported that thanks to the generous support of Americans Helping Americans®, individuals and churches through fundraising activities, as well as the selfless donation of thousands of hours of time and effort from professional and non-professional volunteers, “the clinic continued to serve the community these past 12 months despite the cancellation of two major fundraising events due to COVID-19.”
“The support that Americans Helping Americans® provided to Community Helping Hands Clinic has made an important difference in the health and longevity of low-income members of the White County community who have no health insurance,” Gene told Cameron.
That grant support has continued year after year. In June, Gene told Cameron that the funding remains especially critical because, unlike free clinics in neighboring counties with significant urban or suburban centers, “our clinic does not receive support from the county, city, or federal government.”
U.S. Census data and health rankings conducted by the University of Wisconsin show “that there is an urgent need for expanded free health care in White County.
“The need for medical services for low-income residents of a rural, underserved county like ours who have no health insurance is great, and has increased significantly in the past 20 or so years.”
CHHC addresses chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, asthma, and obesity, which Gene describes as "epidemic in our society."
“People with these problems require frequent medical attention, at least until their conditions are under control,” says Gene. “Even patients with controlled conditions require more frequent monitoring than healthy people.”
The clinic provides services at no charge to residents of White County between the ages of 18 and 65 who meet low-income requirements and who do not have health insurance.
Gene reported that at the CHHC, which furnishes services with a total estimated retail value of more than $2 million a year, 231 patients were seen during the past fiscal year (June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026).
In August, Gene reported that the results of a patient satisfaction survey conducted in June, 88 percent responded “yes” to the question of whether their health has improved since becoming a patient at CHHC, and when asked whether they considered the clinic to be their primary care provider, 100 percent said “yes.”
Gene adds, “Proper maintenance of chronic conditions is the difference between health and serious disability or premature death for many of our patients.
“The continuing support of Americans Helping Americans® has made a critical difference in the health of low-income residents of our county who have no health insurance.”
And Cameron notes, “Our grants keep the clinic open, which allows it to treat patients for free as well as become a training hub for physicians studying at Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Residency Program.”
Supporting Dental Health Across Appalachia
Additionally, Americans Helping Americans® provided 3,000 dental kits to our Appalachian partners last year.
“Appalachian youth face unique and well-documented dental health challenges due to higher average added sugar and sugary beverage consumption and lack of fruits and vegetables, on top of inaccessibility of oral care professionals,” states Cameron.
Among the partners receiving hundreds of dental kits this year was Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies (AMOS) in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
At its “Back-to-School Bash” on July 31, Cameron reported that 221 families from surrounding Jefferson, Cocke, and Grainger counties, numbering around 650 children, including pre-school toddlers, received backpacks and school supplies as well as dental kits from Americans Helping Americans®.
AMOS executive director Jean-Ann Washam requested 500 dental kits to provide to low-income members of the community who do not have the means to purchase a toothbrush and toothpaste.
“Dental hygiene prevents future issues which can lead to a serious health issue if gums and/or teeth become infected,” commented Jean-Ann.
“In addition, it is difficult to work if you have a toothache.
“Providing a dental hygiene kit will encourage individuals to take care of their teeth, which will enhance their quality of life.
“Success is measured by knowing that individuals have the means to improve their dental health.”
