Page 11 - Palm City Spotlight - January '21

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Palm City Spotlight, Page 11

Good Works from page 10

Scott Risk, president of Martin County Firefighters IAFF
Local 2959, presents Rinamarie Shpiruk, Elev8Hope CEO,
with a $10,000 donation. Martin County Firefighters IAFF Local 2959 and Elev8Hope volunteers with the bikes they assembled for the Bike Build event
Fundraising

news

Volunteers In Medicine Clinic

Embraces The Spirit Of

Change

VIM Clinic is taking a new approach to traditional
fundraising events and creating a butterfly art installation on
the walls of the clinic to recognize donors and inspire patients.
For the first time in 21 years, The Friends of Volunteers
in Medicine Clinic will not be hosting their annual gala in
January. The event typically generates 35 to 40 percent of
their fundraising revenue each year and, like other nonprofits
hit hard by the pandemic with increased demand, a loss that
large would be devastating for the clinic and its patients.
VIM Clinic is the only free clinic in Martin County serving
low-income residents without health insurance. The staff and
volunteers with The Friends of VIM clinic looked at this as
an opportunity to embrace change and focus on the positive
and they created a fresh, new approach to their fundraising.
The gala committee was inspired by the famous Audrey
Hepburn quote “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”
With spring and renewal in mind, butterflies became the
symbol of that sentiment. The committee proposed filling the
walls of the clinic with butterflies to epitomize the idea that
something beautiful can come from change. Donors loved the
idea and it became the Spirit of Change Celebration. Donors
can sponsor a butterfly and have their name intricately woven
into the wings of a butterfly image to be mounted on the wall.
The butterfly walls will be revealed on Friday, Jan. 29, at an
open house event.
Mary Fields, executive director, said, “We had to find a
way to excite our donors. Everyone loves attending our gala
and they were not interested in a virtual version or un-gala.
The Spirit of Change Celebration allows us to offer something
special to our donors and we can still support local businesses
that usually help out with our gala.” Donors can come to the
open house which will include socially-distant protocols with
limited guests or they can arrange a private showing at a later
date. The reveal will also be videotaped so that donors who
are not able to visit in person can still see the artwork they
helped to create.
The Spirit of Change Celebration has already raised
$100,000 for the clinic, about 50 percent of the goal. Donations
received before Jan. 10, will ensure inclusion on the wall in
time for the reveal. The Friends of VIM Clinic Board President,
Patsy Conrades, said, “We are delighted to turn this negative
situation into a positive. The clinic has been there for thousands
of our Martin County neighbors for over 25 years and we will
not let them down now when the need has never been greater.”
For more information visit vimclinic.net/spiritofchange.
About VIM Clinic
Over 25 years ago, Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) Clinic took
a new approach to community healthcare. VIM Clinic places its
focus on practicing the art of medicine instead of the business of
healthcare. The clinic provides free, comprehensive medical care
to low-income, uninsured, Martin County residents. Utilizing the
expertise of staff and volunteer medical professionals, patients
are treated like friends and neighbors with the goal of improving
their overall health and wellness. Thanks to the support of
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health and hundreds of other private
medical practices on the Treasure Coast, VIM Clinic has become
one of the premier free and charitable clinics in the country
serving thousands of patients each year. Visit vimclinic.net to
See answer in this paper. learn about giving the gift of health and how it changes, and
often saves, lives in Martin County.