In the Valley, dental volunteers continue this annual tradition of providing free care to youth
The program,which serves youth ages 1-17, has been in place for four decades
By VIVIENNE AGUILAR — Health Equity Lab Reporter
vivienne@cvlocaljournalism.org
Whether it’s a filling, a tooth cleaning, or giving just advice, since 1982 a team of volunteers has held an event to provide dental help to kids in Stockton who need it most – and free of charge.
Local dentist John Reed, a member of the San Joaquin Dental Society, is among those volunteers who have participated in the annual “Give Kids A Smile” event for many years.
For Reed, it’s a chance to address an important need with other caring local dental professionals. “When kids need multiple fillings, it can really add up and sometimes parents just don’t have $300 or $400 of discretionary funds, so they come here,” Reed said.
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Plans to bring an IMAX Theater to downtown Merced have taken a significant step forward, as an application for a tenant improvement permit and other documents for the project have been filed with the city.
The application for the permit was filed by Laguna Beach-based BB Architects on Feb. 12 to upgrade the existing Regal Hollywood theater at 403 W. Main Street to include a 4,053 square-foot IMAX theater auditorium.
“We’re looking forward to doing the work in the community, hopefully it goes quickly,” Kathy Lovell, architect with BB Architects, told The Merced FOCUS.
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Doctors said it would take a miracle for 16-year-old Joe Soria to survive a violent attack that left him clinging to life on a dark street in his hometown of Lindsay nearly two decades ago.
Now 34, he has long recovered from those injuries and is making the most of his second chance at life.
He’s currently running for Tulare County Supervisor to represent a district that includes Lindsay, a rural town in California’s Central Valley. Joe promises to invest in the county’s unincorporated communities in desperate need of simple amenities, such as street lights and sidewalks.
Those amenities still are lacking on Laurel Avenue, the street where Joe nearly lost his life.
By jumping into politics, Joe Soria is doing something he’s done his entire life – he’s following in the footsteps of his four older sisters, all of whom have held elected office in the San Joaquin Valley.
Three of Joe’s sisters also will appear on California ballots this year, either during the primary or in the general election.
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Part of the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, The Merced FOCUS is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom covering Merced and the San Joaquin Valley.
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