Lakeside Leaders award $10,000 donation to Rockwall’s Grace Clinic

ROCKWALL COUNTY, TX (April 5, 2024)  Lakeside Leaders, formerly known as 100 Business Leaders of Rockwall, welcomed a large crowd to Standard Service in Heath yesterday, where they gathered to shine the spotlight on local nonprofits and award a generous donation to one of those very deserving organizations.

The 100+ business professionals that comprise Lakeside Leaders are passionate about giving back to our community. Twice each year, they gather to nominate and award a local nonprofit agency with a substantial financial grant – in this case, $10,000 – the combined total of each member writing a $100 check to the winning nonprofit.

As their website explains, “Through this process, we aim to support and empower organizations that are dedicated to addressing critical social issues and improving the lives of those in need in Rockwall County. By leveraging the expertise and resources of its members, we strive to create lasting change and make a significant difference in the Rockwall community. Together, we believe in the power of collaboration and philanthropy to create a brighter future for all.”

Among the nonprofits in attendance at yesterday’s event were Rockwall County Helping Hands, Meals on Wheels Senior Services, Selah Creek, A Badge of Honor, JER Chilton YMCA at Rockwall, Rockwall ISD Education Foundation, Texas Valor Project, Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Texas, Rockwall Rainbow Room, and Lone Star CASA. Also present were Rockwall Grace Center for Family & Community Development, Greater Rockwall Youth Symphony, and Patriot Paws Service Dogs – the three of which were randomly selected to give a three-minute presentation about their specific funding needs.

Lakeside Leaders membership cast their votes, and while ballots were being counted, the other nonprofits were given time to inform the group about the purpose of their organization.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Grace Clinic received the most votes and was presented with a check for $10,000.

“Grace Clinic is a Christian, nonprofit medical clinic that  provides quality, affordable medical care to families in our community that are struggling to make ends meet,” said Mary Walker, Grace Clinic’s Executive Director. “What we do with those families is we take the time to figure out what is the root problem.  We aren’t trying to just push medication on  patients…True health comes from spiritual, physical, and mental health, so we work with our patients; we pray with our patients. We’ll connect our patients with churches, we’ll connect our patients with local, licensed professsional counselors.”

Regarding how the award would be used should they win, Walker explained, “In 2019 we had 197 patient visits; as of  2023 we had 2.100 patient visits. The need in Rockwall is huge, and the problem is, our little clinic is tiny. We have a kitchen that we have decided as a team can be transitioned into a third exam room, which we can also make use as a procedure room and have licensed, professional counselors come in and offer mental health and wellness services for patients on our property. We would like to be able to use that money to transition that room…and we need the help of you guys to do that. By doing so, we figure we can see an additional 800 patients a year.”

Those interested in participating in Lakeside Leaders are invited to complete a membership form found at LakesideLeadersRW.org.

By Dawn Redig, Blue Ribbon News. Photos by BRN Media/Blue Ribbon News. 

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