Bowlers Roll Strikes for St. Clare Health Clinic

Bowlers-roll-strike-for-St-Clare-Health-ClinicSome 142 bowlers and more than 60 observers packed the Stardust II bowling alley in Merrillville April 12 for an inaugural Spare-A-Dime, Throw-A-Strike fundraiser to benefit St. Clare Health Clinic in Crown Point. Among them, from left, were Sisters Marlene Shapley, Aline Shultz and Maria Kolbe Elstro, of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, who serve Franciscan Alliance’s Northern Indiana Region hospitals. The event was organized by co-chairs Dan McCormick, MD, vice president of medical affairs for Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point; along with Ralph Neff and Jim Larsen, Franciscan Alliance Foundation Board members and Brian Popp, of the Merrillville Rotary Club.

It raised more than $15,000 to support work being done at the clinic. “We are extremely grateful for the support of our sponsors and our bowlers who came out to show such great participation,” said Julie Mallers, clinic nurse practitioner-manager. Added Laura Mannion, foundation director of development, “This event would have never happened without the leadership and dedication of our committee and our sponsors.” St. Clare, located at 1121 S. Indiana Ave., is under the auspices of Franciscan St. Anthony Health. The clinic provides free primary health care for area residents who fall within established income guidelines, are uninsured and are not eligible for government assistance. The clinic is sustained through philanthropic support. For more information or to make a donation, call the foundation at (219) 661-3401 or visit: GiveToFranciscan.org.