Members of Community Matters, a coalition of faith-based and nonprofit service organizations serving Newton County, met in regular session last Thursday, June 28, with several members committing to provide assistance during the upcoming Ozark Wellness: Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) mission.
The no-cost medical services event by the US Army Reserves will be held jointly at the Jasper and at the Kingston school campuses July 16 - 25.
Services are offered on a first come, first serve basis - while supplies last.
These services include:
Medical: Health exams, sports physicals and behavioral health care.
Optometry: Eye exams and one pair single vision lens glasses.
Dental: Exams, cleanings, extractions and fillings.
Veterinary: Exams, spay/neuter vaccines. These services will be provided at the Jasper location only.
Hours of service at both locations:
July 16 - 1-5 p.m.
July 17 - 20 - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
July 21 - 8 a.m.-12 p.m. July 22-24 - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
July 25 - 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Dental services will be limited July 25
Last patient must be checked in one hour before close that day.
No insurance or identification is required.
Tina Cole, community development coordinator with Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, has been working with the team of US Army Reserve officers and has served as the liaison with residents of Newton and Madison counties.
Cole attended the Community Matters meeting. While the military will provide hot breakfast and lunch daily, evening meals will consist of MRE (meals ready to eat) only. There is expected to be about 60 personnel assigned to the Jasper School campus and about 40 personnel at the Kingston campus.
Cole said that while the military teams will be self-sufficient, she encouraged the communities to show its appreciation by providing some evening meals through the course of the mission.
Local groups from Jasper agreed and committed to serving meals on specific dates at the school cafeteria.
• Erika Houston and Pat Dixon, individual volunteers, Tuesday, July 16.
• Jasper Methodist Church will serve meals on Wednesday, July 17 and 24.
• Jasper First Baptist Church, Thursday, July 18 and 25.
• Seventh Day Adventist Church, Sunday, July 21.
• American Legion, Monday, July 22.
Cole is getting commitments from volunteers in Madison County to help and serve evening meals at Kingston school.
On July 16 the mission will begin with a soft opening. Local volunteers will receive an orientation at that time. Local volunteers will be needed to help with patient flow, information and parking. There will also be a room set up for caring for children while their parents are on-site receiving services.
Newton County Animal Welfare has agreed to assist veterinarians who will be stationed at the vocational agriculture department at the Jasper School.
