The annual black-tie Gala organized by the Friends of Volunteers in Medicine Clinic is among Martin County’s premier social events. The first was in 1999, but it was in January 2001 that the annual event fully took root as VIM Clinic’s major annual fund-raiser.
That was when Martin Memorial Health Systems could no longer afford to operate the clinic, but offered to provide support, services and facilities if VIM Clinic could raise $100,000.
A group of Martin County women known as TRAMPS (Treasured Rare Angels Meeting Precious Souls) was mobilized by Angie Fening. Within three months, they organized a black-tie gala that generated $60,000. Then gala attendees, Martin and Eva McConnell announced the establishment of a $300,000 trust fund.
VIM Clinic was saved and the gala has been our major annual fund-raiser ever since.
VIM Clinic became an independent nonprofit organization. Then another nonprofit, The Friends of Volunteers in Medicine, was created to ensure the long-term financial viability of the clinic.
At our annual galas, guests begin the evening with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, mingling and the opportunity to bid on silent auction items. Dinner and dancing with live music is punctuated by a briskly-paced live auction.
All the funds raised for VIM Clinic stay in Martin County. Fully 98 percent of our annual budget is spent on providing health care services and we deliver $12 worth of health care for every dollar donated. We are able to do this because nearly all of our physicians, nurses, medical and lay personnel are volunteers who donate their expertise, time and services. In fact, our medical director hasn’t collected a paycheck in 10 years!
Our patients are legal Martin County residents who earn less than 200 percent of the poverty level, do not have access to insurance, and are not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran’s benefits or other government health care programs. They are members of our community who would go without even the most basic health care if not for our help.
Now, more than ever, the VIM Clinic needs your support. Gala tickets are $375 per person, and several levels of sponsorship are available. All sponsors of $1,400 or more are invited to an exclusive pre-gala VIP party.
Be a part of this important — and fun — event! If there is something you would like to do to help, or if you have an auction item to donate, we’d love to hear from you! Call us at 772-463-4128 Ext. 211.
To see our previous events, browse through our Gala archives.
