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Affinity Health Center CEO Anita Case and Morton & Gettys partner Melissa Cassell

Affinity Health Center is the 10th and final community organization to receive a $2,000 gift from Morton & Gettys in celebration of the law firm’s 20th anniversary.

Each of the last 10 months, attorneys and staff have taken turns making this selection. This month, the decision was made by Melissa Cassell, a partner in the firm.

Melissa served on the health center’s board for six years, a time during which the nonprofit transitioned from an HIV clinic into a full-service community health center.

Being a part of that process made a big impression on her. She was impressed by “the amazing people behind the scenes” who succeeded in greatly increasing the availability of healthcare in the community, creating a full-service family practice that offers a wide range of affordable, high-quality healthcare services to those who might not otherwise be able to afford such care.

The center served more than 7,500 patients over the last year, with 90 percent of those patients living on a low income.

“This is the most productive board that I have ever been a part of,” Melissa said.

Even though she has cycled off the board in keeping with the organization’s by-laws, Morton & Gettys continues to be involved through Joe Neal, an attorney at the firm who has replaced her as a board member.

“Affinity Health Center is grateful to Morton & Gettys for this generous donation and for their support of our organization over the last seven years,” said Anita Case, the center’s chief executive officer. “Due to COVID, we have not been able to have our annual fundraising event for the last two years. With this support from Morton & Gettys, Affinity is able to fund services and operational costs not funded through grants.”

Governmental grants were easier to get before the pandemic, Melissa Cassell noted. That makes local private support more critical than ever now.

Anita Case said this gift is likely to go straight to a service such as the center’s full-service dental clinic, which serves uninsured, underinsured, and low-income families in the community five days a week. “This service is not fully funded by grants and does not generate enough revenue to fund the service for the needs of our community,” she said.

How can others help? Affinity welcomes individual and corporate financial donations of any size. To donate, visit the website at www.affinityhealthcenter.org – there is a donate button on the homepage, under the words “Get Involved.” Or mail a check to the center at 455 Lakeshore Parkway, Rock Hill, SC 29730.

“We also welcome volunteers to help fill in the gaps so we can better serve our patients and community,” said Anita Case.

Both she and Melissa said that with its recently expanded mission, many in our community are still unaware of the many ways the center now cares for the community. They ask for help in spreading the word, urging everyone to follow the center on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

To learn more about the center’s services or how to get involved, contact Anita Case at acase@affinityhealthcenter.org.