Volunteers in Medicine Golf Event Scores an Ace

Francey Burke enjoys playing golf almost as much as she enjoys giving back to her community. The West Orange native grew up with three brothers, so playing sports wasn’t a problem. She ran cross country and track in high school and currently travels about 1,000 miles a month on her bicycle. She didn’t start smacking the little white ball around until she was 40.
As director of advertising and community relations for the Burke Motor Group, the Court House resident puts her English degree from Lafayette College to good use by being a strong communicator and community advocate.
In 2007 she founded the “Spring for Volunteers in Medicine (VIM)” golf tournament, an event hosted by the Wildwood Women’s Golf Association for the past five years which has raised more than $100,000. VIM assists those who are making a sincere effort to help themselves and their families realize optimum health. VIM’s focus is on primary health care, emphasizing disease prevention, health promotion, and patient education in an easily accessible facility with the same dignity and confidentiality afforded in the private sector.
“On behalf of the board of trustees and patients, I am so grateful to Francey Burke for organizing this fabulous event,” said VIM Executive Director Jacqueline Meiluta. “She does a tremendous job. ‘Spring for VIM’ is a first-class event. Volunteers in Medicine is very fortunate to have a ‘neighbor’ like Francey and the Burke Motor Group who care deeply about the health of their community and the people of Cape May County.”
The tournament, which provided VIM with its first computers, much-needed medical equipment, prescription medicine coverage and more, this year raised almost $13,000 at Wildwood Golf and Country Club through participation fees, sponsorships and silent auction.
Burke, who scored a hole-in-one on number 12 while participating in the recent Shop Rite LPGA Pro-Am at Stockton Seaview in Galloway Township, and her spouse, Dave, have three sons. Doug is an attorney and director of operations at Burke Motor Group while Mike is head golf professional at the U.S. Naval Academy course in Annapolis and also serves as associate head golf coach for the Navy team. Youngest son, Ryan, is a dean’s list student at his mother’s alma mater, Easton, Pa.’s Lafayette College. He looks forward to spending a semester abroad beginning this July in Melbourne, Australia.
Burke, who is also a grandmother, said the best thing about running the VIM golf fund-raiser is the satisfaction she receives in helping people in the community who need it most.
“I realized there was a serious need in Cape May County to help our neighbors who were without access to proper medical care,” she said. “Peggy Quinn was the executive director of VIM when we started the golf tournament. We became friends and I offered to her that I was willing to organize a golf tournament fund-raiser. It was an instant success!” Burke said the event attracts 120 to 150 golfers each year.
This year’s winners included, Third Net: Faye Blanks, Rita Campbell, Alyssa Jones and Michelle Keith. Third Gross: Donna Boyer, Barbara Petusky, Carol Torlucci and Marilyn Dunn. Second Net: Lynda Brown, Annette Lombardo, Cherie Champion and Kim Royster. Second Gross: Josephine Flora, Marjorie Levine, Lois Werner and Marilyn Holter. Winners’ Net: Elsie Ahrend, Susan Antczak and Betsy Hession. Winners’ Gross: Janet Lamonica, Vicki Morton, Diane Morton and Jane Menendez.
Fay Blanks won the hole five “Closet to the Pin” contest while Betty Salveski took the honor on hole 6, and Janet Lamonica won it on hole 16. Madeline Baxter captured the hole 7 “Longest Drive” while Marilyn Holter won that prize on hole 14 and Barbara Schwait took the honors on hole 18. Michelle Devine Hartnett was crowned “Putting Champion.”
VIM Chairman Doug Burke, along with his spouse, Jen, and their newborn, Blake, drove “the highly in demand” champagne cart sponsored by Bellevue Tavern.
In addition to the golf event, Burke Motor Group presented VIM trustees Marilyn Sweeney and Kathy Breuss with a check for $1,050. Burke dedicated a portion of the proceeds from all cars sold during April in honor of VIM volunteers.
Crest Savings and AtlantiCare were major event sponsors. Wildwood Golf and Country Club’s Fred Reidel, Amanda Basse and Diane Klasky were also key contributors to the event’s success. Behind the scenes assistance came from event logo designer Jeff Jacobs, Burke Motors employee Lin McBride and the Constant Contact website.
Meiluta said plans are underway for VIM’s annual gala, Sept. 12, at Sand Barrens. The event celebrates the organization’s culture of giving and this year shall honor Dave Perry Jr. of The Villas as VIM’s “Provider of the Year” and Reef Family Pharmacy as the group’s “Community Partner of the Year.”
Francey Burke is no stranger to coordinating good-will efforts. She chaired the Burke Motor Group Golf Classic for 12 years and most recently has altered the format to what is known as a “Golfless Gala.” In the past four years, the four-year-old event has garnered $100,000. The energetic Burke also completed organizing the “Get in Gear for Rotary” bike event in early May and “Tribute Day,” on May 17 where the Group honored local police, fire and rescue personnel along with active and retired military personnel.
VIM, which opened its doors in March 2002, has served nearly 4,000 patients with more than 28,000 office visits. For more information, to donate, or to become a patient, contact the clinic at 463-2846 or visit www.vimcmc.org.
“What I enjoy most is seeing all of this immense effort come together to help members of our community that need the services provided by VIM,” said Burke. “I feel it is my mission to give back, and I am always seeking ways to do so.” Meiluta is rightfully proud of VIM’s vital role in the community.
“VIM’s motto is ‘neighbors caring for neighbors,’” said Meiluta. “We receive no state or federal funds. We rely wholly on the good graces of the community for our support. Events such as this golf tournament are a great way to support VIM.”