Modelled after the series of successful local free dental clinics, a local chiropractor is offering a free clinic on Saturday for seniors and low-income community members.
Greta Henning, who organized the dental clinics and dental access fund, is also organizing this clinic under the banner of the Quota International service club. But local chiropractor Dr. Adam Konanz, she said, was also involved from the start, at the first dental clinic last August.
“Because we had it in the basement of a church, we needed operating tables,” said Henning.
Konanz stepped forward to offer his portable chiropractic tables for the clinic. He liked the concept of the clinics offering free dental care to needy community members, and said he would like to help.
“Now that I am quite good at organizing dental clinics, I phoned him and asked him if he would like to offer a chiropractic clinic,” said Henning. Unlike the dental clinics, which are done by appointment, this one will be a drop-in.
“It’s hard to book appointments for something like that. This demographic that we’re trying to reach may never have had a chiropractic treatment before and they may not even realize how it might help them,” said Henning. “Just little adjustments to wrists or back or neck can make a huge difference to their overall health and well-being.”
Konanz will offer both free adjustments and general consultations for people wondering how they might be helped. The clinic will take place on April 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cheers Church at 639 Main St.
Saturday, though, is going to be a busy day for Henning. Not only will she be organizing a chiropractic clinic, but another group is arranging a fundraiser for the dental access fund.
“We’ll be selling teeth. If you give us a donation of five dollars, we’ll put your name on a tooth and we’re going to be decorating the back of our check-in counter,” said Holli Hudson, a customer service representative with Jazz Airlines at the Penticton Regional Airport.
The community day of support is a nationwide initiative by the Canadian Auto Workers union, who represent Jazz employees.
“I’ve known Greta and I think that her dental access fund is a wonderful opportunity,” said Hudson, who thought the fund was a perfect fit for the CAW program. “We decided that we wanted to celebrate something in our community and support a community project.”
Hudson is asking the public, her co-workers and the people that work at the airport to donate five dollars and buy a tooth to help support the fund. The event will be taking place at the Jazz counter in the Penticton airport throughout the day Saturday.
“It’s a national program, but it is just to let people know that the CAW is not just a union, we also do good works in the community,” said Hudson, adding that she hopes to also work with Henning on a grant application for funding from the CAW.