
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 21, 1990                   TAG: 9003202589
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV8   EDITION: NEW RIVER 
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

WEEKEND ART AUCTION RAISES $10,000 FOR CHRISTIANSBURG CLINIC

Even though the economic squeeze is on, the eighth annual art auction last weekend for the Medical Clinic of the New River Valley raised more than $10,000.

"We don't have the final end result," said Rebecca Noftsinger, executive director of the clinic, "but we've raised $10,550 so far"

There also will be perhaps $200 more "from additional donations that have not yet been tallied," she added.

Noftsinger said the turnout was good, with approximately 350 in attendance who viewed 189 pieces of art donated by more than 100 artists.

Fiber, photographic, stained-glass, jewelry, sculpted and printed worked were among the items for sale.

This auction is the only large-scale fund-raiser for the free clinic, which is operated by two full-time workers and a number of volunteers.

The clinic, housed in the office of New River Valley Community Action, is a separate agency that receives United Way money as well as donations from other private contributors.

All of the money raised from the auction is put directly into the clinic's operating budget and helps cover such items as medical and dental supplies, testing and pharmaceuticals.

The physicians, dentists, nurses, medical assistants and pharmacists - to name a few of the personnel - all volunteer their services at the clinic, which is open Tuesday nights. The dental clinic also is open Tuesdays and Saturday mornings and on other nights by appointment.

Diane Goff, an artist, photographer and co-founder of the clinic, donated five pieces of art for the auction and thinks it's a worthy event for a worthy cause that "takes a lot of work that can really burn you out."

Noftsinger said the auction, which requires alot of time to organize, gets help from many volunteers and corporate donors, who offset the cost of the auction so that all of the donations can go to the clinic.

"We want to thank the artists and patrons and the volunteers for their support," said Noftsinger.

"With all of this help I know we can continue to offer good care to the public."

For more information on the Medical Clinic of the New River Valley, call 382-6186.

by CNB