PORT ANGELES — With events both Saturday night and Sunday morning, VIMO — Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics — is looking to keep its free clinic in good health.
But VIMO, with its 50 volunteer doctors, nurses and crew, doesn’t stage the usual fancy banquet affair.
Instead, Development Coordinator Zoe Apisdorf wanted to give people options: a brewpub dance party, breakfast at a local cafe or both.
Either way, this fundraiser is decidedly casual.
From 8:30 p.m. onward Saturday night, the Joy in Mudville band will play at Barhop Brewing, 124 W. Railroad Ave., where admission will be by donation.
A $10 contribution to VIMO is suggested, setting this year’s fundraiser apart from last year’s. Admission to the 2013 VIMO benefit at the brewpub was $75.
“We wanted to make the event all-inclusive to people regardless of their income levels,” Apisdorf said, adding, “I want to see faces we don’t usually get to see.”
‘Dance for your health’
Paul Stehr-Green, Joy in Mudville’s bassist, is married to Dr. Jeanette Stehr-Green, one of VIMO’s volunteers.
He offered his own advice: “Dance for your health,” he said, “and for the health of VIMO and our community” the same night.
And while the band — Jason Mogi, Kim Trenerry, Colin Leahy and Stehr-Green — dishes out Americana, rock and blues, VIMO will have a fundraising silent auction going on.
To expand further, Apisdorf tacked on the second event at Cafe New Day, 102 W. Front St.
From 7 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Sunday, patrons who mention VIMO will have 10 percent of their breakfast checks go to the clinic.
“I wanted a place where people who did not want to go out at night could gather to show their support,” Apisdorf said.
“What we ask most of our supporters, besides considering our funding needs, is to be our advocate,” she added. “Help us spread the word about what we are doing.”
VIMO, at 909 E. Georgiana St., provides care at no cost to those who cannot afford health insurance or the deductibles that come with it.
No-cost care
“It is fun working in a free clinic. It’s the pure experience of practicing medicine” without so much insurance paperwork, said Dr. Tom Locke, who is both a VIMO volunteer and the public health officer for Clallam and Jefferson counties.
Services through the Port Angeles clinic include:
■ Primary care and dental care
■ Mental health counseling and medication
■ Access to dental care for babies and children
■ Free breast, colon and cervical cancer screenings
■ Help with Affordable Care Act insurance enrollment
■ Hepatitis C clinic
■ Diabetes and hypertension management clinics
“A donation to VIMO means that people in our community will not have to make the choice between buying food for their families or getting their asthma medication,” Apisdorf said as an example.
3,500 visits last year
She noted that VIMO served 1,351 individuals in 3,500 visits last year.
Grants can’t be relied upon for ongoing funding, Apisdorf added; it’s donations from local people and businesses that make VIMO sustainable.
To learn more, visit www.VIMOclinic.org. To make a clinic appointment or find out about volunteering at VIMO, visit the website or phone 360-457-4431.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
