A nonprofit faces challenges following a local fire

Lynchburg, Virginia – A week after a local fire, a nonprofit organization in Lynchburg is having difficulty recovering.

However, the staff is optimistic that the clinic will survive with some community support.

The old SunTrust building in Lynchburg caught fire early on Monday morning. Smoke spread across the building and into the adjacent Free Clinic of Central Virginia.

It’s terrible. CEO Jen Webb stated, “You’re looking at the place where you put your heart and soul and the community is depending on.”

When Webb arrived at the clinic early in the morning to inspect the damage, she discovered that her medical equipment was useless and that building assets had been destroyed.

“The fire itself caused significant water damage in addition to heat and fire damage. The damage to our HVAC system is complete. Our supplies are all destroyed. We cannot have any ash or soot on anything because we are operating a medical center.

The clinic is completely covered in soot from the fire, yet from the outside, it appears as though nothing occurred.

“It appears to be fine when you drive by, but we’re not,” Webb remarked.

Despite the city’s condemnation of the structure, Webb is committed to continuing to see patients as the new year dawns.

“I do believe that plans will come together very quickly, and we are fighting to keep things going and find other places to take care of patients,” she said.

However, Webb stated that she is requesting assistance from the community because the clinic cannot succeed on its own. In order to continue serving Hill City in the wake of this tragedy, the clinic is soliciting donations.

“Yes, we do need donors. Donations are needed. We must be able to maintain what we have established here,” Webb stated.

Contributions will be used to assist staff, find a new temporary facility, and maintain the clinic’s general operations.