by Natasha Khairullah
Staff Writer
Just imagine the unimaginable: Florida Bar President Hank Coxe doing the Charleston; local radio DJ Amadeus doing the electric slide; Mayor John Peyton doing the Macarenna.
That’s exactly what folks attending the the upcoming Volunteers in Medicine gala might find.
The nonprofit, free medical clinic at the corner of Ocean and Duval streets will host “Dancing with the Stars of the First Coast,” Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the University of North Florida’s University Center. The event is a benefit for the organization that will feature local celebrities strutting their stuff.
According to Medical Director and Chairman of the VIM Board of Directors Dr. Jim Burt, the uniqueness of the gala should help draw a nice crowd.
“We feel like we’re providing a very special service to the community,” said Burt, “and part of the reason for doing this is to let people know who we are and what we’re doing. This is something different.”
A number of local celebrities have been invited including radio DJ Amadeus of FM-95.1, Peyton and a few Jaguar football players. So far, those that have confirmed they they will dance include Ch. 4’s reporter Jim Piggot, Ch. 4 anchor Mary Baer and State Rep. Audrey Gibson.
The gala will include various dance styles ranging from traditional to Latin to ballroom as well as an open dance competition. The event will culminate with an end-of-the-night dance-off between the celebrities.
There will also be cocktails and heavy hor d’oeuvres served in addition to the dancing. A majority of the fundraising will come from a silent auction and ticket sales.
“It should be a really fun event,” said Catie Wallace, volunteer coordinator for VIM.
VIM is a nonprofit that was started with the help of several Downtown churches in September of 2003 by Burt and Dottie Dorian and is the local version of the VIM that exists in Hilton Head, N.C. Burt, a retired urologist who volunteers at the VIM clinic full time, says the idea for VIM was in the works long before the clinic was actually opened.
“We’ve been working on the concept for five-and-a half-years,” he said.
The clinic provides free health care to Duval County’s working uninsured and their families. Through donations from local hospitals, individuals, businesses and the personal time of area doctors, they provide free mammograms and educational programs on health and diabetes, free eye exams, prescriptions and referral services.
Those who cannot seek primary care through traditional facilities due to lack of insurance can go to the clinic rather than emergency rooms for treatment of non-threatening illnesses. There are 150 volunteers that rotate monthly as well as 32 providers. Approximately 2,300 people have received their primary care through VIM this year and over 9,500 since 2003.
The two main sponsors for the gala as of right now are FPIC Insurance and Baccardi bottlers. Burt is currently seeking other sponsors for the event.