A $250,000 matching challenge by Whitefish philanthropists Dave and Sherry Lesar has injected momentum and lifeblood into a permanent endowment fund recently launched by Shepherd’s Hand Clinic.

The free medical clinic based at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish began a campaign last October to raise $1 million by 2015. That effort already has raised almost $250,000 in gifts and pledges.

The Lesars’ challenge will allow every dollar donated to Shepherd’s Hand from this point forward to be matched dollar for dollar, allowing the clinic to double its money from the generous donation.

“Working with Shepherd’s Hand is a natural evolution for Dave and I,” Sherry Lesar said.

The couple, who spend parts of the year in Whitefish, also gave money for the construction of the new North Valley Hospital and Stumptown Ice Den in recent years.

After volunteering her time at Shepherd’s Hand one evening, Sherry said she could immediately see how beneficial the medical care is for those in need.

“I think the need is a lot more than people are aware of,” she said.

The Lesars have been part-time Whitefish residents for close to eight years. Dave is president and chief executive officer of Halliburton Energy Services and Sherry owns Stargazer Land & Cattle, a Texas-based company that works to keep farmers and ranches on their land.

They both have heavy travel schedules, but enjoy spending time in Whitefish.

“Whitefish is a special, wonderful community,” Sherry said. “There’s so much pride it shines through.”

Meg Erickson, executive director of Shepherd’s Hand, said the permanent endowment was created to strengthen the infrastructure of the clinic and ensure future sustainability.

“This gift from the Lesars is such an encouragement to all of us at Shepherd’s Hand,” Erickson said. “We hope it will inspire others in the community to support our efforts in providing care and hope to people who are struggling to provide for themselves and their families.”

Erickson and her husband, Jay, the clinic’s medical director, founded Shepherd’s Hand in 1995 as an outreach ministry of Christ Lutheran Church to provide access to health care for those without medical insurance.

A little over a year ago the clinic received its own 501(c)3 status from the Internal Revenue Service, allowing it to operate as a separate nonprofit organization.

The clinic has seen a 30 percent increase in patient visits over the past year and a half, with close to 1,700 patient visits logged in 2011. Eighty-four percent of the patients live below the federal poverty level.

“Without help, families often have to choose between going to the doctor and buying medications with buying food and providing heat for their homes,” Erickson said.

Shepherd’s Hand has established a number of partnerships throughout the medical community and is constantly working to grow its partnerships with the community to provide opportunities for businesses and other organizations to get involved.

To that end, the community meal program started two years ago is humming right along, providing a home-cooked meal and fellowship to both clinic patients and community residents each Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

“It’s a true community event,” meal program coordinator Jim Cummings said. “It’s more than just a meal; it’s friendship and socializing, too.”

With various churches and other groups providing food for the meals, it’s a self-sustaining program, he said.

An extension of the meal program is a recently established transportation service that brings shut-ins and residents of nursing homes and senior living complexes to the community meal. Cummings said organizers hope to expand that service to the Columbia Falls area.

Another fairly new program for Shepherd’s Hand is a wellness program launched in the summer of 2011 to respond to the needs of chronic patients. It includes monitoring diseases, education and support with a focus on nutrition, exercise and smoking cessation.

A volunteer wellness team spends time with patients each Monday evening.

Donors wishing to be a part of the $250,000 challenge can go to the clinic’s website at www.shepherdshand.com, or send donations in care of Shepherd’s Hand Clinic, 5150 River Lakes Parkway, Whitefish, MT 59937.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.