Samaritan’s Purse free health, dental, vision clinic underway in Wheeling

WHEELING - A free medical, dental and vision clinic sponsored by Samaritan's Purse kicked off Friday at WesBanco Arena and continues today and Sunday, April 23.

Samaritan's Purse, which is an international Christian relief organization based in Boone, North Carolina, partnered with Newbridge Church in Wheeling to bring the free services to Wheeling area residents in need.

There is no income requirement. No health insurance or ID is required. Today's clinic is slated from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday's is from 1-6 p.m.

Once a person is registered they don't have to wait on site; instead, they can receive a text via cell phone as to when they are next in line to begin getting their on-site care.

Services available include:

— Vision exams and eyeglass making;

— Dental exams, fillings, extractions and dental hygiene;

— General medical exams, well-child visits and school physicals;

— Blood pressure and diabetes screenings;

— Lab testing, as available; and

— Care for other health concerns, as providers are able.

"We're taking care of people from the community who need help, and need free care, honestly," said Dr. Elliott Tenpenny, medical director for the Samaritan's Purse clinic.

Tenpenny said Samaritan's Purse provided disaster help following the June 14, 2025, flash flooding in Triadelphia, Valley Grove and Wheeling that killed nine people and destroyed dozens of homes. The group decided it wanted to come back and hold the medical clinic.

"People are starting to trickle in. We're staying busy," he said. "We have three different areas: medical, dental care and vision, making eyeglasses here. And all of those are free services for the community."

Tenpenny estimated the clinic would attract hundreds of people during the weekend. He said there are more than 250 total volunteers helping run the clinic.

"The majority of them come from the local church," he added.

There are also medical providers from out of state and who live locally.

Tenpenny said the vision clinic allows people to leave prescription eyeglasses. There are several styles and colors of frames to choose from.

"They measure (the lens) and then they put them in a machine and make them on site, attach them and fit them for the folks and give them to them here," he said.

Samaritan's Purse's goal is to give help to those who need it.

"We do what we do in Jesus' name because we want to take care of the community here. There's a lot of needs here and around Wheeling and we just come here to take care of people as well as we can," Tenpenny said.

Tiltonsville resident Erika Scarpone was volunteering her time in the dental clinic by assisting dentist Dr. Rick Lines of DuBois, Pennsylvania. Scarpone works as a surgical registered nurse WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and is a member of Newbridge Church.

"When this opportunity came up I said I can't pass it up," she said. "Samaritan's Purse worked with us last summer with the flood relief that happened in Triadelphia, and they're a wonderful organization. I just wanted to be part of this great clinic in Wheeling. And it's been, so far, wonderful and they're doing a great job."

Scarpone said it "feels good" to help people with their dental needs.

"We're thankful for the community and for WesBanco Arena and everybody hosting, and for the volunteers who came really from all over the country," she said.

Lines said he wanted to give back because he's had many people help him during this lifetime.

"I've been incredibly blessed in my life, and there have been many people instrumental in helping me get to school and get through school," Lines said. "And it's so rewarding to be able to give back to someone who maybe today just prayed that someone would come along."