Are you in need of medical or dental care? In Orange County, the Lestonnac Free Clinic is there for you - struggling to meet the healthcare needs of low and no-income famillies.

It's a remarkable operation, with pharmaceutical companies and grocery chains making donations to provide for medical supplies and their food bank, which feeds hundreds of hungry people every week. Doctors volunteer their time and donate the use of their facilities. These people are working hard to take care of folks for no reason besides the fact that it's the right thing to do.

I knew a fellow once who nearly died because he had an infected tooth. He couldn't afford to go to the dentist, and he worked as a dishwasher part-time, so of course he didn't have any kind of insurance. The infection spread, and he was hospitalized for three weeks in intensive care, as the doctors tried to prevent brain damage caused by the spreading infection.

The dental visit wouldn't have cost much, compared to that. But he was cash-poor and afraid, and a bad situation got worse.

The Lestonnac folks are heroes in my mind, and the work they do absolutely saves lives. They even have a bilingual staff, so Spanish-speakers are welcome, too.

So if you know someone in Orange County, CA, who needs medical advice or assistance, but is avoiding it because they can't afford it... urge them to look here. Whether it's Asthma or a bad tooth, prenatal care or something worse, there are people who care more about helping people than they do about making a profit.

If you are lucky enough that you don't need the kind of help that Lestonnac offers, consider volunteering some time or making a donation of money or non-perishable food items. Every little bit helps, right?