Posted: Nov. 6, 2009

A country fair at the Olympia Center in Oconomowoc was the setting for a recent fundraiser to benefit the Lake Area Free Clinic. A buffet of fair-style food included miniature hotdogs and brats, a miniature baked potato bar and fruit brochettes. The Piles of Rhythm band decorated the bandstand with haystacks to add to the atmosphere. See photos from this event.

Mary Reich, executive director of the Lake Area Free Clinic, and Robert Speer of ProHealth Care Community Benefits, recall that in 2000, Doug Guy, then president of Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Tim Hill from the OMH Emergency Department, contacted Dr. Bernie and Betty Schumacher about the need to start a free clinic. They took up the challenge, and the clinic is now in its eighth year.

The Lake Area Free Clinic welcomes individuals and families who lack health insurance and whose income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty level. Demand for clinic's services is up 26 percent so far this year.

Members of the LAFC board include Mary Reich, Jean Neal, Betty Olson, Betty and Bernard Schumacher, Lois Jackson, Karen Jensen, Wayne Euclide, Donna Voigt, Sandy Stearns, Gary Schroeder, Daniel Miller, Jan Navin, Erik Gronber, Ken Johnson, Maureen Stapleton and Diane Schmiel, all of Oconomowoc; Sally Christiansen of North Prairie; Susan Russler of Delafield; Renee Bardenwerper of Watertown; and Peter Geiss and Dennis Purtell, both of Brookfield.

Those who worked on the committee arranging the fundraiser were Leigh Jordan, Mary Reich, Maureen Stapleton and Vicki Farley, all of Oconomowoc, Donna Voight of Ashippun and Vicki Dallman Papke of Pewaukee.

Some of those attending the gala were Linda and Peter Geiss, LeeAn and Michael Dukes and Sandy Stearns, all of Brookfield; Diana and Stan Markus, and Bonnie Morris and Chris Keefe of Dousman; and Karen Jensen of Hartland.