The annual Golf and Gala event hosted by Haywood Healthcare Foundation on Aug. 25 and 26 will feature five separate golf tournaments at three courses over two days, capped off with an evening gala.

The event will raise money for the Good Samaritan Clinic of Haywood County, a non-profit medical clinic that provides care for uninsured and underserved adults who fall through the healthcare crack.

“They are an excellent organization filling a critical need in our county,” said Ginger Lang, Board Chair, Haywood Healthcare Foundation. “Every person on their small staff is exceptional, caring, and truly professional.”

Haywood County has an estimated 11,000 people without health insurance — roughly 18 percent of the population. In 2014 alone, the Good Samaritan Clinic served nearly 3,000 patients.

“Some patients we see here clearly have no other support or stability in their life,” said Chelsea Batten, a Physician’s Assistant at the clinic. “I felt drawn to help fill in the gap for patients in medically underserved areas who otherwise can’t access quality, consistent medical care. I’m also happy to work in a setting where I’m free to address patients’ spiritual needs as well as their physical, medical, mental, and emotional needs.”

One of the many lives touched by the clinic is Judy Bodker, who cleans houses for a living but doesn’t have insurance.

“I’ve been coming to the clinic for seven or eight years now,” Bodker said. “I simply couldn’t afford to pay a doctor. All the clinic staff are pleasant, and they treat me with respect.”

Donna Cianci, another patient who is a single mom with two kids, had similar praise for the clinic.

 “This is simply the best place. They spend all the time I need, and they listen,” Cianci said. “They have been here for me and I am grateful.”

More on the event

The Golf and Gala will feature men’s and women’s golf tournaments for golfers of all skills levels, with teams of two or four. Tournaments will be held at the Maggie Valley Club, the Waynesville Inn Golf Resort and Spa and Laurel Ridge Country Club.

An evening “Garden Party” gala will be held at the Waynesville Inn Golf Resort and Spa will be held on Aug. 26, featuring food, drinks and live music.

Register or buy tickets by contacting 828.452.8343 or visit www.haywoodhealthcarefoundation.org.