In early 2009, several community members including physicians, nurses, and other community health individuals gathered to discuss starting a free clinic in Northwest Wisconsin as there were no such services in the region between Eau Claire and Superior. The group visited and spoke with free clinics in Eau Claire, Menomonie, River Falls, and Chippewa Falls. They contacted Volunteers in Medicine, a national non-profit whose mission is to start free clinic and they supplied us with operation manuals, community organizing, and fundraising ideas. Area health care clinics were recruited to become our partners along with public health, area churches, and service organizations. The doors to the Rice Lake Area Free Clinic opened in 2010 and have been going strong for 12+ years. We are fortunate to have devoted volunteers and robust community support, many of which have been with RLAFC since our founding. We look forward to a future with gratitude and hope in continuing our mission to provide free health care to those in need in our region.