Season’s Greetings from VIM

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – As we celebrate this beautiful holiday season, please take a moment to consider our neighbors in need. There are lots of acronyms for the good people that come to Volunteers in Medicine. The United Way coined the term ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. JAM is another popular term – it stands for Just About Managing. Whatever you call them, they are good people who struggle every day to put food on their tables and gas in their cars. They worry how to make ends meet. An unexpected illness, a necessary car repair and even a special holiday meal wreaks havoc with their monthly budgets.
VIM represents all that is good about America. We are a grass roots organization of neighbors caring for neighbors, a volunteer-powered solution to the health care crisis. Our patients earn too much for Medicaid, but not nearly enough to afford premiums, co-pays and deductibles. Volunteer Dr. Lynn Helmer says, “The patients are so grateful for our time and care, and many of them are so much better because of what we can do.”
Soon, we will open a new VIM clinic to serve the needs of Atlantic County. The new clinic will be an expansion of VIM of Cape May County, a 15-year-old clinic with a proven track record of providing care to the uninsured and under-served. A private family foundation has committed $100,000 per year for an Atlantic County Safety Net Clinic. This is a fabulous and generous start, however, the success of the new clinic will not be possible without the additional support of corporations and individuals who live in the community.
VIM relies on you for much needed funds for the coming year. As you consider your holiday and year-end charitable giving, please consider VIM. Your generosity ensures quality health care, assistance and resources to our neighbors in need in our community.
On behalf of our Board of Trustees, Medical Director Elizabeth Crowley and our grateful patients, best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year.