43
Local chiropractor continues food drive tradition
Photo
Patrick Lalama and his patients collected six barrels of nonperishable items in his annual month-long food drive.
By CHRSITINE KEELING
kdeeling@vindy.com
Canned goods and a chiropractor care combined to benefit the community.
Dr. Patrick Lalama offered a free adjustment from the beginning of December to Jan. 8 to patients who donated nonperishable items at his Westchester Drive office.
The Austintown chiropractor started the charitable program 17 years ago as a patient appreciation day.
“Patients would say how they couldn’t come in that day, so I made it a week, then they would miss the week, now it’s a month,” Lalama said.
This year, Lalama asked that patients bring in 20 items to mark his years in practice.
“I didn’t think we would do well with the economy, but it turned out to be the best year,” Lalama said.
More than 50 patients participated in the food drive that resulted in six barrels of cereal, paper towels and other items that will be donated to the Mahoning Valley Rescue Mission.
The annual collection period is usually in the month of December, but this year Lalama and his family went out of town near the holidays so he extended the drive into January.
Giving back to the community that has given him a good practice for so many years is important to Lalama. He chose the Rescue Mission because he said he believes it helps the immediate area and offers spiritual guidance to people.