Volunteers are preparing for the Johnstown Free Medical Clinic’s annual fundraiser.
Derae Mora and his friends rummage through rack after rack of clothing, picking out the perfect outfits for models to wear during the fundraiser on Saturday, August 26.
Derae is a model in New York City. He recruited friends to put on a fashion show and dance performance is at the fundraiser. He is volunteering to help his dad who works for the clinic.
“My dad is a recovering addict, so having this steady position at the clinic and helping others, it helps him in recovery, which is helping us mend our relationship,” Mora said.
Money raised will allow the clinic to provide medical care and prescriptions to patients who can’t afford it.
“It will give us the other resources and tools that we need to give them a medical exam, supplies, equipment. And it will help us to expand,” said Rosalie Danchanko, Executive Director of the Johnstown Free Medical Clinic.
The fundraiser will also give local models and dancers chosen to perform a chance to pursue their dreams.
“I do modeling to raise cleft lip awareness because there are a lot of people who are born with this issue who are self conscious. I want to give people joy and happiness and show them if I can do it, they can do it too,” said Kristy Goughnour, a model at the fundraiser.
Models said they’re excited to walk down the runway and help raise awareness and money for a good cause.
“Coming from a family where you have an ex-addict, I can only imagine how many other families are struggling through,” said Mora.
The clinic serves more than 1,000 patients, many of whom struggle with addiction. The clinic offers check-ups, a safe needle exchange program and the opioid-reversal drug Naloxone.
Employees hope to raise $10,000 to impact the lives of those in need and, in some cases, give patients and their families a second chance.
The “Insure our Future” fundraiser takes place on Saturday, August 26 at Peoples Natural Gas Park in Johnstown. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the gate.
For more information on the Johnstown Free Medical Clinic (also called Highlands Health Clinic) visit their website.