Cook County News Herald

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic urges community members to donate to The Giving Tree program this holiday season


Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) reminds community members that donations to SMC’S The Giving Tree program this holiday season will help patients ease financial burdens as they seek healthcare services out of the immediate area. The Giving Tree program is more important than ever as some patients face financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Giving Tree dollars are converted into essential items like fuel cards, grocery vouchers, and medical lodging vouchers. These items enable patients to attend essential medical appointments, keep food on the table in the face of a health crisis, and travel the long distances required to access vital medical services.

“Our long-standing tradition of seeking community financial donations to The Giving Tree program is more important than ever during the COVID- 19 pandemic,” said SMC Chief Executive Officer Kate Surbaugh, “Financial support to The Giving Tree allows our providers and caregivers the discretion to provide financial help to those needing a hand as they seek medical treatment.”

Located on the rural and remote north shore of Lake Superior, SMC faces unique challenges when it comes to healthcare. Sawtooth Mountain Clinic serves the healthcare needs of Cook County, Minnesota and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa – an area that covers 3,400 square miles. Sawtooth Mountain Clinic believes every single person deserves excellent health care and our dedicated team works hard each day to ensure that our community members can access the care they need. This is especially important during a health care crisis like COVID-19. Donations to The Giving Tree can make a big difference.

“We never want to see out of pocket expenses prevent our patients from seeking the healthcare services they need outside of SMC,” said Medical Director Dr. Paul Terrill. “For years, The Giving Tree has helped people get on the road to recovery by assisting them in accessing the health care attention they need. Please consider lending your financial support during this uniquely challenging holiday season.”

Donations to The Giving Tree program can be made by sending a check to Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, 513 5th Avenue West, Grand Marais MN 55604.

Online donations can be made on the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic page of GiveMN.org by going to www.givemn.org/ organization/Sawtooth- Mountain-Clinic

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax deductible.

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