St. Luke receives $4,000 grant from local group

By Nick Tabor, New Era Senior Staff Writer

St. Luke Free Clinic received a $4,000 grant this month from the Hopkinsville Junior Auxiliary.

It’s the clinic’s first grant in recent years, let alone since the announcement this summer that it must seek financial independence.

So far the board hasn’t identified other grants to apply for, Chairman Brandon Garnett said. But between a few fundraisers and the money from the grant, it’s in comfortable shape for the remainder of this fiscal year.

St. Luke director declares resignation

Committee developing clinic’s new funding model

By Nick Tabor, New Era Senior Staff Writer

Betsy Bond, the director of St. Luke Free Clinic since 2009, is resigning effective Sept. 27.

Bond said she needs to spend more time with her family. If she works, it will be to resume the office organization business she did before taking this job, she said.

Bond is leaving at a pivotal time in the life of the organization. Leaders of the Christian County Health Department decided in June they cannot afford to continue paying the salaries of the free clinic’s staff after June of next year, so a committee is now researching alternative funding models.

But Bond said she’s not just jumping ship out of concern that St. Luke won’t last.

“I see St. Luke there in the future in some form,” she said. “The staff is wonderful. The board has been dedicated.”