A fundraiser designed to generate support for a local nonprofit agency will take place Friday on area radio stations.

Officials with the Moore Free Care Clinic plan to launch the inaugural daylong, communitywide public awareness and funding campaign on March 15. Known as the "Call to Care" radiothon, the event is scheduled to take place from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

"With almost 12,000 uninsured adults in Moore County, we have a conundrum with the health care situation as it is," said Tony Price, chief executive officer of the clinic. "This fundraiser presents a great opportunity for members of the community to assist the Moore Free Care Clinic and its partners in caring for our neighbors."

The radiothon will be broadcast Friday on WIOZ 102.5 FM with support from stations WEEB 990 AM, WAOG 100.7 FM and 550 AM, and Life 103.1.

"Tune in to Muirfield Broadcasting's WIOZ on Friday to hear testimonials from area leaders including doctors, nurses, partners of the clinic and more as they discuss the ways in which the Moore Free Care Clinic has assisted this community," Price said. "The other stations will be broadcasting PSAs throughout the week prior to the event, and Life 103.1 will air a prerecorded Q and A segment about the fundraiser. We hope you will listen in and then contribute to our cause."

As a not-for-profit organization, Price said the clinic relies on contributions from businesses and individuals as well as private grants to operate.

"Many have heard of the Moore Free Care Clinic, but don't realize that we receive absolutely no federal or state funding to run it," he said. "We conceived this event as a way to both raise the awareness of the uninsured in Moore County and to ask for help."

Business supporters for the event include FirstHealth of the Carolinas, McDonalds/FMCJ Enterprises LLC of Aberdeen, and The Pilot. First Bank, BB&T and Bank of America will also promote the radiothon at their area branches. Trident Marketing will provide call center equipment and staff during the radiothon.

In 2012, Moore Free Care offered care to almost 1,000 patients in its Southern Pines clinic. With its medical partners and volunteers, the clinic provided more than $5.9 million in services. These services included wellness visits, flu shots, administering prescription drugs and helping patients to manage chronic disease. The clinic also provides minor surgical procedures and dental services.

"As jobless rates fluctuate, plants close and small business in the region shut their doors, clinic supporters anticipate that the need for a free clinic will continue to rise in Moore County," Price said. "The radiothon will build awareness of this community-wide problem, showcase the life-saving work done at the clinic, and allow for continued health care to our neighbors who lack health insurance.

"I have been blown away by the groundswell of support from our partners in this endeavor, and feel really good about the radiothon," Price said. "These patients are in our own backyard, and we have a fundamental, human interest to help them. We need your help to continue this effort in our community."

To donate, call (866) 368-7763, drop off your donation at local participating businesses, or visit www.moorefreecare.org.

Contact John Lentz at (910) 693-2479 or jlentz@thepilot. com.