(Source: Business Wire)
Three North Texas free health clinics received a portion of a $1 million grant today from the Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources, parent company of Richardson-based Cirro Energy. The Agape Clinic, Plano Children's Medical Clinic and Healing Hands Ministries each received $5,000 from Cirro Energy during a ceremony attended by area dignitaries and officials including Dallas City Councilman Jerry Allen and Collin County Commissioner Kathy Ward.
"Having access to healthcare is critical to leading a productive and enjoyable life," said Mike Rose, managing director of Cirro Energy. "These donations will fund doctor exams, lab work, medications and diagnostic tests for the uninsured and underinsured in North Texas."
Free clinics nationwide report that the number of people using their services is growing rapidly during the economic crisis. These clinics serve large numbers of low-income, working families and others who cannot afford medical care. Currently, these clinics are serving significant numbers of laid-off workers who lost health insurance that was provided by their employers.
Free clinics typically provide $5.40 worth of health care for every dollar spent. There were 19,819 patient visits to the three North Texas clinics last year.
"Over the last year our patient base has grown exponentially as a result ofthe accelerating cost of health care insurance and thosewho have lost their jobs due toeconomic uncertainty," stated Janna Gardner, executive director of the Healing Hands Clinic. "We would like to express our most sincere thanks for this generous donation, which will allow our clinic to continue providing quality, compassionate health care to those who need it the most."
According to government statistics, about 46 million Americans, or 18 percent of those under the age of 65, were without health insurance in 2007. That number has grown considerably.
"Cirro Energy has made our community stronger by extending a much needed helping hand to others," stated Susan Shuler, executive director for Plano Children's Medical Clinic. "This gift provides a surge of energy to our dedication to transforming lives."
In 2008, Dominion, its charitable foundation and employees invested over $20 million and 100,000 volunteer hours to help people in the states where Dominion operates. Grant focus areas included preservation of natural and historic resources, workforce development and education, diversity initiatives, community development, and meeting basic needs for food, shelter and clothing.
"The current economic times have produced hardships not seen in several generations," said Thomas F. Farrell II, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Dominion. "We want to do our part to make sure medical services are available to those who are uninsured or can't afford to see a doctor."
"Dominion's purchase of Cirro Energy last year gave us access to new resources to benefit the communities in which we provide electricity," added Rose. "We are pleased to lead the corporate community in helping to ensure that health care is available to those in need."
Last December, Cirro Energy presented grants to area food banks from the Dominion Foundation as part of a $1 million gift. The contribution provided food and groceries for families through The NETWORK of Community Ministries, Inc. and North Texas Food Bank of Dallas.
A subsidiary of Dominion, Cirro Energy is a Texas retail electric provider that supplies about 2.5 million megawatt hours of competitively priced electricity annually to 60,000 residential and commercial customers in Texas.
Information about Agape Clinic is at www.agapeclinic.org, for the Plano Children's Medical Clinic at www.plano-cmc.org and for the Healing Hands Ministries Clinic at www.hhmtx.org.
About Cirro Energy
Cirro Energy brings a smarter approach to retail electricity service. A subsidiary of Dominion, one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, Cirro Energy delivers superior customer service and savings to residential and business customers in Texas. From competitively priced plans for electricity to Smart Shop energy efficiency products, Cirro Energy empowers consumers to make smart choices that save them money. For more information on Cirro Energy, visit www.cirroenergy.com; media can contact Scott Black of TPRM at (214) 520-3430 ext. 303. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at http://www.dom.com.
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