Sunday, October 12, 2025

Search

VIM Celebrates Seven Years of Serving Uninsured

 

By Leslie Truluck

BURLEIGH — Cape May County Volunteers In Medicine (VIM), dedicated to providing healthcare to the uninsured and under insured, celebrated its seventh anniversary Thursday March 12 at the Wildwood Golf and Country Club.
Lately there have been tremendous increases in patient visits and requests for medication, as layoffs abound in a rough economy leaving people without health insurance, Medical Director Marna Cutler said.
Cape May County has the highest unemployment rate in the state, at about 12.5 percent during the winter, said Freeholder Gerald Thornton, director of heath and human services, who helped start the organization and attended groundbreaking seven years ago.
“VIM is such a necessary service for the community. With higher levels of unemployment, it deserves our support as much or more than ever,” said Jerry Reeves, Sturdy Bank CEO.
Sturdy Savings Bank, in its second year as presenting sponsor, honored VIM as the charity of the year for 2008. The bank collects funds through voluntary employee payroll deductions, fundraisers and campaigns.
Cutler told a large turnout about a particular patient who came to VIM for help. She said he was stoic in telling her he had been assaulted and lost his job as a result of the economy. But when the patient said he didn’t have insurance and didn’t know where to go to have his stitches removed, that Cutler said he began to weep.
“He was a victim of the health care system,” she said. “We are so grateful for the community’s support because we couldn’t keep our doors open without the full support of the community, financially and through our dedicated volunteers.”
Stone Harbor Lions Club King Lion Phil Fiore and members Ed Einhaus and Ed Clemens presented a check for $10,000 for an ophthalmoscope, a machine used to determine the health of the retina and the vitreous humor, keeping in the Lions mission to promote healthy vision.
The Lions Clubs of Stone Harbor, Avalon and Wildwood pays for all patients’ free eyeglasses, said Director of Clinical Operations Marilyn Golden.
Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders has donated $60,000 every year to VIM since its inception in 2002.
County Clerk Rita Marie Fulginiti, who serves as secretary for the VIM Board of Trustees, presented a citation from Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-1st.)
With more in need of VIM’s services, Fulginiti said more medical volunteers are sought. “Even if doctors do one day a month, it is a great help,” she said. “VIM has really matured and become a true support system for the uninsured.”
Annual “Spring for VIM” Woman’s Golf Invitational is slated for May 20 at the Wildwood Gold and Country Club.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck@cmcherald.com

Something on your mind? Spout about it!

Spout submissions are anonymous!

600 characters remaining

Most Read

Print Editions

Recommended Articles