Puna Community Medical Center-Update

[Domizio]

Aloha Friends!
It's been a while since I let this forum know where our project is at. It took 4 months for the IRS to move our application for a tax exemption to a committee to review it! That move was Tuesday of this week (1/22). The committee now selects an individual to go over our application, work out the details and then issue us our Letter of determination of Tax Exemption. That letter is a requirement for many grants; they will not even look a a grant application without that letter. Hopefully, the letter will arrive "soon".

Meanwhile, building permits to build-out the clinic site at the Pahoa Marketplace will go in today, that's a 4-6 week process. When those permits are ready to be pulled, we MUST have a significant amount of money on hand ($90,000 or more) for the construction to begin, and everyone feeling comfortable that the rest will come in with the grants. We currently have $3,000 on hand.

WE need donations desperately. Remember, this is a COMMUNITY based, non-profit initiative. If we had wanted to set this up for-profit, and not be "grass rooted", the system would have been MUCH easier to deal with, and the clinic would already be opened. But we want this no-appointment-needed facility to serve the uninsured as well as those with insurance and money. For that we needed a non-profits status, AND FOR THAT, WE NEED YOUR DONATIONS ASAP. If you are at the Pahoa Marketplace, our account can receive your contributions at the Credit Union there. Please help us. And tell your friends as well. This facility will help everyone you know in Lower Puna.

I'd be happy to answer questions at the resource fair tomorrow at the Community Center, or call me at 965-1801.
Thanks
Dan

[janeadams]

Dan,

Are you going to have another recycling donation? If so, let us all know! We'll contribute happily. It's a way that even those with small incomes can help out.

Yours is a much-needed service. I just spent the morning on the phone trying to get in as a new patient somewhere. There's no choices, other than urgent care, Bay Clinic or the ER.

Jane

[Domizio]

Aloha Jane!
Thank you so much for your interest.
We are planning a combined re-cycle and "Yard Sale"; I am investigating the site and best days at this time. So dig around for that stuff you've wanted to get rid of and I'll let everyone know where and when.
Dan

[Nalu Mama]

Hey, Dan- what about seeing if you can set up a pay-pal site and put a link up on the punaweb home page? It would open the door for people who aren't there to help. There's plenty who want to!

Breathe. Relax. Focus.

[Rob Tucker]

Punaweb would certainly be willing to help by providing a link......

Punaweb moderator

[Domizio]

Aloha again!
Or treasurer, Richard B. has already been working on PAYPAL, and I am uncertain at this time if it is ready to go. I will check with Richard and he will post a response. Thanks for the interest.
This has been a long, often lonely, walk...but we'll get there with the community's support.
Dan

[rbonplaza]

Dan, Ed an I are willing to help in several ways. Once you get your non-profit status fully established, we agree we would like to support your efforts as much as we can afford as retired folks. I am currently an equipment planner with Kaiser in N. California. I also am a licensed LVN. I have been in healthcare for more than forty years in many roles. We will be moving permanently to Puna next year, and I think my experience may be of value to you. Would love to talk to you about your needs regarding equipment and perhaps even some clinical involvement. Please don't interpret this as an elicitation for employment. I'm looking at volunteer work! I will be retiring with Kaiser medical benefits, but this does not deter my appreciation of the community's need for improved service. We both wish you the best in your efforts.