An Open House Filled with Open Hearts

With donated coffee and treats from Panera Bread and Giant Foods in hand, our Open House started with a warm welcome from our Board of Directors Chairman, Rev. Andrew Merrow and interfaith opening prayers from our partners at Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center, Temple Rodef Shalom and First Christian Church.

Rev. Andrew TP Merrow, Rector of St Mary’s Episcopal Church and Culmore Clinic Board Chairman makes opening remarks

Rev. Andrew Merrow makes opening remarks

Representatives from our interfaith partners lead opening welcome ceremony at our Open House

L to R - Rev. Steve Moore, First Christian Church; Jeffrey Levy, Temple Rodef Shalom; Andrew TP Merrow, Board Chairman, St Mary’s Episcopal Church; Mikael Abdur Rahman, Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center; Kris Clifford, Columbia Baptist

Our Clinic Director, Allison Colby, then gave a beautiful overview of what we do at Culmore Clinic. You can read it in full here.

Clinic Director, Allison Colby, addresses the room of Open House attendees

Nancy White of Arlington Free Clinic was there to support us. Arlington Free Clinic donated the rugs and desks in our Administrative Office.  AFC is a wonderful partner to Culmore Clinic - generous with time, guidance, and now furnishings!

Terry O’Hara Lavoie, Nancy White (Arlington Free Clinic), Allison Colby

The over 50 attendees were then organized into groups and assigned a tour guide – Culmore Clinic Board members. For the rest of the time, The Clinic halls were bustling with activity. See scenes from the tour on Facebook here.

Volunteers Bernadette O’Donoghue and Cincy Nothom, RN, describe to Open House attendees the work of the Culmore Clinic Nursing Station, dedicated to Julie Ann Kiley

Open House attendees in exam room on tour of Culmore Clinic hear from volunteer Helen Lydon

Open House attendees hear from staffer DeeDee Mojica in waiting room on tour of Culmore Clinic

Open House attendees ask questions on tour of Culmore Clinic

A highlight was when we received this check from Baileys Crossroads Lions Club!

Culmore Clinic’s Rev. Andrew Merrow, Terry O’Hara Lavoie, Allison Colby receive a donation from the Lions Club of Bailey’s Crossroads.

A big thank you to those that made this Open House possible including:

Panera Bread
Giant Foods
Linda Jouvanis
Tony Dennard - Dennard Rebuild
Lorraine Creely
Kathy Haller
Jessie Whitten
Fran Sienkiewcz
Carole Schloss
Sue Swisher
Eliana Turina
Judy Miller