Dale Stewart reports from Stockbridge. A sold- out crowd of supporters of Volunteers in Medicine (VIM), the Great Barrington-based clinic that provides free, high-quality health care to low-income, uninsured Berkshire residents, celebrated its many achievements on Thursday, August 8, at The Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club. Patrons toasted VIM with Kir Royales and nibbled on shrimp skewers and figs drizzled with honey while bidding on a range of silent auction items to support the ongoing efforts of VIM’s volunteer-based organization of local health-care professionals and volunteers. Many of the volunteers are retired and typically address more than one medical concern during each patient's visit. Each Gala ticket went to a particular service, like a single patient visit with diagnostic testing and prescription medication, or funds to support an asthmatic or diabetic patient for one year. Guests started by bidding in both a silent and a live auction, which were followed by a stunning dinner and a show featuring award-winning cabaret performers Zina Goldrich, lyricist (right), and Marcy Heisler, composer (left), pictured on either side of Nadine Haubushaka in picture at left.
Anne Schiesel, Helice and Steven Picheny, VIM chairman Art Peisner, Ernest Smythe, and Irwin and Leon Gerson.
Becky Friedman with Karen and Alan Salamon; Lauren and Richard Spitz with Elise Abrams.
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Joan Sickler and Marsha Dubrow; Tammy and Dave Valicenti.
Penny Pincus with the Mahaiwe’s Lola Jaffe and Matt Mandel; Steven Haas, Frederica Sigel, and Roberta Haas.
Ian Rasch and designer Jade Snow Carroll with Dominic Lydon and Melissa McGarrity.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
