BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – PanCare held its annual Stand Up for Veterans event on Tuesday, providing free dental care to veterans at its clinics across the Florida Panhandle.
“It’s PanCare giving back to our veterans because they have done so much for us. We want to show our appreciation on Veterans Day by offering a free service, whether it’s a cleaning, a filling, an extraction, or simply an exam,” said Katie Thorpe, PanCare’s Dental Operations Director.
More than 200 veterans had scheduled appointments, but walk-ins were also welcome.
“It’s wonderful. On one hand, it saves money, but it also shows they truly care about veterans in this area,” said retired Air Force veteran Willie Gilbert.
The event, though only one day, makes a significant impact.
“There are so many veterans in this area that sometimes you have to wait six months to a year for an appointment. PanCare has been very good about getting people in,” Gilbert added.
For PanCare officials, the event is a small gesture of gratitude.
“To be able to give back to the people who served and protected us is a great feeling,” Thorpe said.
Organizers hope the event reminds veterans that PanCare is available to help year-round and that their service is always remembered.
In addition to dental care, some PanCare locations offered flu shots to veterans.