Dot Evans, vice chairman of Bargain Box II, a nonprofit thrift shop, met recently with Dr. Mark Wethington, executive director of Moore Free Care Clinic.

Joining them was Daniel R. Barnes, DO, medical director of FirstHealth Hospitalist Services. The occasion was the presentation of a donation to the clinic to assist in the ongoing program as it prepares to move into its new quarters.

The morning of the meeting, Barnes was treating patients in the cramped 600-square-foot clinic located in the Moore County Health Department in Carthage where examination rooms and medical and office equipment are shared with the Health Department.

Barnes represents the hospitalist service to the clinic from FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. The hospitalist is generally trained in internal medicine, general pediatrics, family practice and obstetrics. Barnes is one of the hospital personnel who will be more conveniently located to the clinic in its new 3,000-square-foot facility in Southern Pines. Construction has begun and fundraising is underway.

Receiving no federal or state support, the clinic depends upon the generosity of the community to provide high quality care to people of Moore County with limited income who are uninsured.

To help the less fortunate of Moore County is a shared goal with Bargain Box II. Accepting donations of lightly used merchandise and selling it for low prices, enables the organization to use its proceeds to make charitable gifts to Moore County organizations such as the free clinic.

Donors, volunteers and loyal customers make all this happen each week, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bargain Box II location at 7299 A U.S. 15-501, a mile from the Moore County Senior Center, behind Wylie's Golf Carts.

"Both organizations welcome donations and volunteers," says a spokesman.