ROCK HILL, S.C. — Stacy Chalmers, a nurse from Rock Hill, SC had just one wish for her birthday this year: to collect enough toothbrushes and toothpaste to take with her to the Philippines for her volunteer mission with International Medical Relief (IMR).
Although not her first mission with IMR, whose missions are based solely on donations, it was her and her husband Kent’s first mission to the Philippines to aid vulnerable communities with dental care. When asked to bring toothbrushes and toothpaste, Stacy, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reached out to local congregations of her church in York, Lancaster, and Chester counties, and they delivered. Thousands of toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste later, the Chalmers were on their way to the Philippines.
With limited access to clean water, dental hygiene and gastrointestinal problems are regular concerns for those on the island of Bohol, where the Chalmers volunteered. People from the area – mostly farmers and their families – visited the IMR clinic hoping for care with these issues. Unable to afford simple things like toothbrushes and toothpaste, clinic visitors were provided the necessary items and taught effective toothbrushing skills, including frequency and the importance of flossing. Many also received needed dental procedures. “So many of these sweet people had completely rotted teeth and came for extractions, which they received wherever we could set up a dental area,” says Stacy. The patients ranged from four year olds to octogenarians.
Happily, the number of donations collected far exceeded the need for the Chalmers’ mission. Marcia Ennis, a local leader for the Relief Society, the women’s auxiliary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, “The families here in our church congregations have always been very generous in donating when asked! We are grateful to the Chalmers for asking us to help them as they serve the families of the Philippines.” According to Karla Prentiss, an organizer for IMR, donated dental hygiene supplies not used in the Philippines were transported back to IMR headquarters in Colorado and will be sent to missions in Guatemala and Honduras in the next few weeks.
About The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a worldwide faith of over 17 million members. The Church has over 30,000 congregations in more than 160 countries and territories. It also operates several universities; a religious education program for youth and young adults with enrollment of more than 400,000 in 170 countries; FamilySearch, the world’s largest genealogical organization; and a vast humanitarian aid program that provides more than $1 billion annually in worldwide relief. There are 46,500 Church members that attend 83 congregations in South Carolina.
Sign up here to receive the Tega Cay Sun "day" Spectator every Sunday morning with all the news from the week directly to your inbox
Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
