Hundreds of patients received free medical, dental, and vision care at WesBanco Arena during Samaritan’s Purse’s largest Community Medical Outreach.
Oswaldo Bermudez hadn’t been to the dentist in several years. Without dental insurance, he couldn’t even afford a cleaning. Compounding his frustration was that the native Venezuelan had a hard time finding providers near home in Wheeling, West Virginia, who spoke his heart language.
Oswaldo Bermudez had not had a cleaning in years because of the challenge of finding a provider.
“There are not many people who speak Spanish in this community, so it’s hard to get kind of the care that I need,” he said. The language barrier kept him from clearly communicating his symptoms, and providers had a hard time understanding his needs.
So when he heard about a Samaritan’s Purse Community Medical Outreach clinic held at WesBanco Arena–home to a minor league ice hockey team–he decided to check it out.
During Oswaldo’s cleaning the dental hygienist discovered a deep cavity had formed.
The August 21-23 event marked our largest Community Medical Outreach clinic since the program started in early 2025. More than 240 volunteers from 22 states showed up to serve the people of Wheeling. Over 100 of the event volunteers were from Newbridge Church.
“When I learned that the Community Medical Outreach would be working here, I knew I had to come because I need the help,” Oswaldo said.
During his cleaning, one of our dental hygienists identified a deep cavity in one of his teeth. Although he worried that extraction was the only option, our team assured him they could restore the tooth and that it wouldn’t be painful.
“It looked like there was no solution, but they were able to save it,” he said with a large smile across his face. “It has been four years since I’ve come to the dentist, and they were able to recover my oral health.”
The Samaritan’s Purse dental team was able to clean his teeth and repair the cavity at no cost to him.
More than the physical care he received, Oswaldo was greatly encouraged in his faith by the doctors and dentists who spoke with him in Spanish.
“I first learned about Samaritan’s Purse yesterday, but the first thing I saw was that logo,” he said, referencing the cross-in-the-storm graphic printed on each volunteer’s shirt. “It represents the one who came to save us from all of our sins.
“I’ve always been honest, and I’ve always been close to God,” he said. “Here, I feel a lot of peace in my heart.”
Oswaldo was also pleased to hear that Samaritan’s Purse was not only serving his community in West Virginia but also helping people in Venezuela, where his family is still recovering from the earthquakes.
“I’m so grateful that you’ve helped my brothers in Venezuela,” he said through tears. “I’m not there physically, but spiritually I’m there.”
Oswaldo left the clinic with clean teeth and a grateful heart.
“I appreciate very much the work that Samaritan’s Purse is doing,” he said. “And all of the volunteers have been so kind, and I really just don’t have words to thank them for all they have done for me.”
Samaritan’s Purse held the Community Medical Outreach at a stadium in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Oswaldo was one of nearly 500 patients who turned to the outreach clinic for much-needed medical, dental, or vision care.
Renewed Vision and Renewed Hope
Michael McNamara was in desperate need of new glasses and was one of the first in line on the first day of the clinic. His insurance no longer covered vision care, and Michael hadn’t been able to afford a visit to an eye doctor to update his prescription.
Michael McNamara came to the medical outreach in need of new glasses and a health screening.
“I have been having vision issues, and because of my diabetes, it gets worse every year,” he said. When he arrived at the arena, he was greeted by a host of smiling volunteers who listened to his story and identified his needs.
He breathed a sigh of relief when he learned he could also be seen by a physician for a myriad of other health concerns. He was out of medication and in dire need of a checkup.
For years, Michael had been dealing with serious issues, including congestive heart failure. He had also experienced multiple heart attacks.
An optometrist performed an eye examine and provided Michael with a new lens prescription.
“God put me here, and I’m grateful to be here,” he said. “I appreciate it beyond words.”
After his evaluation and prescription refills, Michael met with our optometrist for a new lens prescription. Then he was able to pick out a new pair of frames and, within just a few minutes, was able to see again–at no cost to him! Michael also got to choose a pair of reading glasses.
“Living on a fixed income has put me in survival mode, and I’m grateful for having my needs met,” he said. “The fact that you can make glasses in a day, I’m so thrilled.”
He also chose a pair of new frames from our selection.
Michael said he was also grateful for the volunteers who sacrificed their time to serve the community. While some traveled great distances to serve at the clinic, dozens of locals showed up to care for their own neighbors.
April Brock, a licensed optician who practices just a few towns over, volunteered the entire weekend. She recognized how the need for optometry in Wheeling has only continued to grow over the years.
“When I started in optics 31 years ago, glasses weren’t a luxury, but they are now,” she said. “Now people are choosing whether to pay their rent and buy groceries or buy glasses.”
April rejoiced with Michael when he received his new pair of glasses.
He also got to choose some reading glasses.
“We have seen so many people come in here today not even wearing their own glasses, wearing glasses that they found at a thrift store or glasses that they got from a friend, and they walk out of here and they can see,” she said.
Meeting Needs Through Strong Church Partnerships
Samaritan’s Purse responded to catastrophic flooding in West Virginia that had wiped out homes and businesses and claimed eight lives in June of 2025. The disaster severely compounded the community’s existing economic decline.
In partnership with Newbridge Church, scores of Samaritan’s Purse volunteers assisted communities throughout the state’s northern panhandle, mudding out homes and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus.
“Wheeling, West Virginia, is a city nestled on the Ohio River full of some of the best people on planet earth, but it’s also a place where the economy has kind of passed us by,” said Chris Figaretti, pastor of Newbridge Church. “There are a lot of needs here.”
Now, just over one year after our relief response, we are grateful that Samaritan’s Purse was able return to the Mountain State to serve again alongside Newbridge Church.
“Samaritan’s Purse has been such a blessing to our community in the past with natural disasters,” Pastor Chris said. “To be able to partner together and bring a medical clinic to the needy in our community gives us the ability to do things we couldn’t do on our own.”
The clinic was also an opportunity to reach Wheeling’s Hispanic community. Through Hispanic Ministries, a part of Samaritan’s Purse, Spanish-speaking volunteers and Billy Graham chaplains made sure that language would not stand in the way of someone receiving care or hearing the Gospel.
Billy Graham Chaplains were on hand to provide encouragement from God’s Word.
“Our goal is to engage the Hispanic church across the country with the ministries of Samaritan’s Purse,” said Joe Mott, senior director of Hispanic Ministries at Samaritan’s Purse. “And so, a Community Medical Outreach is a great example of a tangible need and a tangible opportunity.”
At the clinic, Oswaldo saw one of his friends, Karen Dixon, who was serving as an interpreter. Karen was overjoyed to help patients communicate throughout their visit.
“People feel free when they can speak their native language,” she said. “It is so great that patients have the opportunity to really express what their needs are and not just use their phones to translate. Having interpreters makes it feel inclusive.”
Oswaldo said that he felt welcomed from the moment he got there.
“When I arrived here this morning, a woman spoke to me in Spanish, and I immediately felt like I was family,” he said.
Pastor Chris is excited to see how God will continue to move throughout the Wheeling community for years to come.
“When we are faithful to show up, to put in the effort, to reach out, to care in His name, to share the Gospel, He will show up and do more than we can hope for, ask for, or imagine,” he said. “And that may be five years from now, and it may be this weekend, and I anticipate it is probably going to be a little bit of both.”
