COURT HOUSE — Volunteers In Medicine (VIM) of Cape May County will hold its 8th Annual ThanksGathering event to honor and celebrate those in the community who have helped make the 12 year old clinic a reality. This year’s Gala is Friday, September 12, 2014 at the Sand Barrens. The elegant evening will include cocktails and hors d’oevres on the patio at sunset, a fabulous dinner, awards program and after dinner cocktails and desserts.
Dave Perry is being celebrated as Volunteer Provider of the year. Perry is a Physician Assistant who joined VIM in 2009. Volunteerism and giving back to his neighbors in need and his community is an integral part of Dave’s life. Dave was inspired by Patch Adams who once replied to a letter from Dave closing “all the best in your healing work – make it fun and sweet.” VIM’s Medical Director, Elizabeth Crowley, MD says “Dave is fun and sweet… and caring and brave. He is a pleasure to work with. He is thorough, conscientious, and genuinely caring with our patients. All the patients and staff love him.”
Reef Family Pharmacy will be honored as VIM’s Community Partner for 2014. For the first ten years the clinic was open, VIM absorbed 100% of the cost of prescription medicine. This annual expense grew to almost $95,000/year. In 2011, VIM was forced to change this policy. Today patients are asked to fill scripts at Wal-Mart or Shoprite if the medicine is available on their $4 list. VIM relies on Scott Reef for those meds that are not on the $4 list. Reef Family Pharmacy charges VIM patients $5/fill and charges the balance to VIM. The “balance” is Reef’s cost less 10%. Thanks to VIM’s partnership with Reef, annual prescription medications now cost less than $25,000 even though patient count remains steady.
“This is a difficult time for non-profits,” said Executive Director, Jackie Meiluta. “Fund-raising is harder and harder each year. Cape May County has many worthy charities because there is also great need in our county. The economy continues to suffer, Superstorm Sandy diverted much traditional aid. It is thanks to partnerships like this with Scott Reef, that VIM is able to survive. Reef Family Pharmacy is a shining example of neighbors caring for neighbors. I am thrilled we will honor him this year.”
For more information about VIM, to sponsor, donate or attend the Gala, visit the VIM website at www.vimcmc.org, call 609-463-2846 or e-mail: jmeiluta@vimcmc.org
Cape May – Why don’t some of our well established builders even answer their phones, answer texts or emails. Who would ever recommend them to a friend.
