This weekend, March 28 & 29, marks the first ever Mission Of Mercy Project in my home state of Florida. Mission of Mercy (The MOM Project) started fifteen years ago in Wise, Virginia to address the serious need for pro bono dental care for the elderly, disabled and indigent in a severly underserved and remote area.

Originally I did not think I would be able to attend because of class and work, so I did not plan for it. I have the time now, I just do not have the financial capability to go on my own. I am asking for your help with emergency travel funding to go volunteer for the first Mission of Mercy in my home state. The Virginia model of the MOM Project is now in over 25 states and the first one is always very special. This weekend 1600 - 2000 patients will be served in Tampa, Florida at the State Fairgrounds - it's going to be an incredible weekend!

I volunteered for my first MOM Project in Virginia several years ago and I am currently taking pre-requisite courses to gain admission to dental school. Every MOM Project I dental assist in, I learn from the dentists I assist and the stories of my patients, I am reminded that my true calling is dentistry and I am able to teach people how to better care for themselves.

I met some of the coordinators of the first Florida MOM Project last summer in Wise, Virginia when they attended their first MOM to get ideas on how to organize this large scale public health service event. The documentary in the following link was shot that weekend (and I am actually in it!):

http://vimeo.com/m/73342038

I hope you will consider helping off-set the cost of my trip from Virginia to Florida! I am a student and all of my money goes toward school and living expenses, I really cannot cover this alone. This is my very FIRST effort with online crowd sourcing, I hope it goes well! This money will cover gas, parking, my flight and expenses exclusive to the trip I cannot foresee at the moment - I am lucky to have friends to stay with while there, so I hopefully will not need a hotel room. Any money raised that is left over after my travel expenses will be donated back to Mission of Mercy efforts in Florida. 

Thank you for reading and please share! 

Misty Blue

For more information on the Florida Mission of Mercy:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/free-two-day-dental-clinic-in-tampa-begins-friday/2171560

http://flamom.floridadental.org