Fair workers get free check ups - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Fair workers get free check ups

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By Taylor Sanders - email
Fair workers have free dental work done Fair workers have free dental work done
Workers say they'll thankful for the free services Workers say they'll thankful for the free services
Mallary Baptist Association says they're dedicated to serving others Mallary Baptist Association says they're dedicated to serving others
Dr. Roberts says it's a blessing to serve others Dr. Roberts says it's a blessing to serve others

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ALBANY, GA (WALB) -

More than 300 workers at the Albany Exchange Club Fair are getting the chance for free health care.

The Mallary Baptist Association is made of up 51 churches and ministries in southwest Georgia and they say they're committed to being a beacon of light to others.

That's why each year, they provide free health services to workers at the fair - a service that doesn't go unnoticed.

For some, a trip to the dentist twice a year is a visit you'd like avoid. But for those who travel all over the country working the fairs, a trip to a doctor or dentist is hard to come by.

"There's a lot of time that you don't have time to go to the doctor. You don't have time to go to the dentist," says Pamela Chase, owner and operated of Race and Pig Show.

But in Albany, a teeth cleaning and a routine doctors check-up is right around the corner.

"I got my teeth cleaned. I got my tooth pulled. And I went and saw the doctor and I have high blood pressure," says Chase.

For over a decade, the Mallary Baptist Association has teamed up with local doctors and dentists to provide those services, free of charge.

"We've been doing this for about 12 years and it's kind of expanded year by year," says Tom Hocutt, Director of Admissions.

Hocutt says he can remember the first year they set up shop.

"We didn't have a place for the doctor so he was over in the first aid building that they have for the fair grounds which is not clean, it was not a good situation."

But today, they not only pulled wisdom teeth and check blood pressure, but they also have a washer and dyer and free showers for anyone and everyone on the fairgrounds - a service they enjoy providing.

"A lot of these people have no money. They have no way to get insurance. They have very limited means and it's quite a blessing really to be able to help them," says long-time Albany Oncologist Dr. Phillip Roberts.

A blessing they hope to continue to provide for years to come.

Medical trailers were set up in the RV park across from the fairgrounds and officials say they treat anywhere between 50-70 people during the week.