Free Health Clinic Needs Volunteers in Grundy, Virginia

Hundreds of people in Southwest Virginia will get free healthcare this fall, and organizers need volunteers to make it happen.

Remote Area Medical (RAM) is setting up a two-day pop-up clinic on October 17-18 at Riverview Elementary and Middle School in Grundy, Virginia. The nonprofit has been bringing doctors, dentists, and eye care specialists directly to underserved communities since 1985.

The clinic will offer dental cleanings, fillings, extractions, eye exams, custom eyeglasses made on site, and medical checkups. All services are completely free, and patients don't need insurance or ID to receive care.

RAM is calling for medical professionals, general support volunteers, and interpreters to help run the clinic. Setup volunteers are needed on Friday, October 16, and takedown help is needed Sunday, October 18. Overnight parking volunteers will greet patients who often arrive the night before to secure their spot in line.

You don't need medical training to help. General support roles include guiding patients through the process, managing crowds, and keeping operations running smoothly.

Why This Inspires

For many families in rural Appalachia, cost and distance create impossible barriers to basic healthcare. RAM removes both obstacles by bringing quality care directly to communities that need it most.

Since its founding, RAM has treated over one million people at more than 1,600 clinics nationwide. The organization has delivered more than $230 million in free healthcare services, making it the largest operation of its kind in the country.

Services are provided first-come, first-served until capacity is reached. That's why volunteers who help with overnight parking play such a vital role, offering kindness and support to patients who camp out to ensure they receive care.

Anyone interested in volunteering can visit ramusa.org/volunteer or call 865-579-1530 to sign up. Whether you're a healthcare professional or simply someone who wants to help your neighbors, there's a place for you on the team.

One weekend of your time could mean someone finally gets the dental work they've been putting off for years, or the glasses that help a child succeed in school, or the medical exam that catches a problem early.