With several residents stopping by the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library, staff were able to put light on an issue that’s occurring within the region.

Several volunteers set up shop Saturday for a Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic held at the library’s building and parking lot. Throughout the day, several hundred community members, who were able to make appointments leading up to the event, took advantage of free dental and vision services offered.

Public Library Director Renita Barksdale was quick to point out that it was a team effort and that staff member Becca Dugger helped lead the charge to host the clinic.

“This is a program that Becca spearheaded for us,” said Barksdale. “We have around 200 appointments going on throughout the day.”

Dugger said that several within the region provided a helping hand for the event. The local Hardee’s provided breakfast to volunteers and residents while hotels in Johnson City donated rooms to volunteers involved with RAM.

Volunteers, ranging from college students to medical professionals, spent the day working with community members to offer free services.

And while it’s an overwhelming experience for the staff, Barksdale added that it was eye-opening to know the need that is there within the county and city.

“When we post the post online that Thursday to let people know, it wasn’t even a 24-hour notice and we had over 17,000 views,” Barksdale said. “That tells you there is a need. We had to take the post down because we had all those views.

“The goal is to let people know that there is a need for this service in Carter County,” she continued. “We didn’t have enough spots to help the people who are in need. We had several people who cried because we had to turn them away since we couldn’t provide that service and it was heartbreaking. We’re hoping the city and county leaders see that we need something bigger. Our citizens do need help.”

It’s something Devin Cradic knows all too well.

Cradic, Appalachian Miles for Smiles program manager, was busy throughout the day working with other volunteers in the mobile units outside the library that were providing services to residents.

“We’ve been to Carter County several times before,” he said. “Everywhere we’ve been, we’ve noticed a need and there is a need here in this community, too.”

Much like before, Barksdale knows that the goal can be accomplished with everyone working together for the common good.

“It takes a library to raise a community,” she said. “We see there’s a need and now we all need to work together to see that that need is fulfilled for our community.”

Appalachian Miles for Smiles offers services in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Anyone that needs the service must register for an appointment. There is no charge to register or for the visit. Visit www.amfsmiles.org to learn more about the service and upcoming event dates.