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The free clinic has served more than 300 people since it opened in April and is a family practice care center.

It is located at 624 State Street, across from Rotary Park and is the only free clinic in Charlevoix County.

"We're swamped all the time," Pastor Dave Crumbaugh said. He and his wife, Cynthia, run the clinic as a ministry of their church, Lakeshore Community Church. The clinic's board of directors includes pastors from area churches.

Dr. Richard Mansfield founded the free clinic along with the Crumbaughs. Its mission is to serve the uninsured and under-insured with health care.

Many free clinics are opening throughout the country as the need increases, Crumbaugh said.

"A lot of people don't have health insurance and many of those who work who do have insurance are under-insured. Some have such high co-pays and premiums that they can't pay them," he said. "The majority of the people we see have not gone to a doctor in a long, long time."

More than 45 million people in the country are without health insurance according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

Federal and state governments provide little or no funds to free clinics and insurance companies will not insure the clinics, Crumbaugh said.

Nearly everyone at Lakeshore Community Free Clinic volunteers their services and time, including Dr. Mansfield.

Patrick Cassidy is a premed student who volunteers his time. He said the experience would help him as well as the clinic.

"It's very good experi ence," Cassidy said. "Medical schools like to see you involved on a regular basis." Aaron Harbaugh volunteers as a certified nursing assistant.

"It's been a good experience, I've learned to communicate with people and how to cope with stress," Harbaugh said.

The clinic's start-up costs were met by donations from the community, Crumbaugh said.

Kathy Helsley is the director. The biggest challenge for the clinic is money, she said.

"We need to cover utilities, medical supplies, medicine, office supplies - we have a lot of financial needs," Helsley said. A digital x-ray machine and an EKG are on the list of equipment the clinic requires.

Lakeshore Community Free Clinic is open on Fridays only at this time. It is on a walk-in basis. Calls may be made to 231-582-6828 Tuesday- Friday.