WHAT'S HAPPENING VIM!

Thanksgiving, a holiday rooted in gratitude and community, offers an opportunity to reflect on the blessings in our lives and extend them to others. Beyond feasting and family gatherings, it's a time to foster generosity and compassion, particularly for those in need. This spirit of giving aligns seamlessly with acts of charity, especially in areas like food security, housing, and healthcare access -- essentials that not everyone can take for granted. Gifts to your favorite charities during Thanksgiving are a meaningful way to express gratitude and address inequalities, particularly in healthcare. While many celebrate the holiday in comfort, others struggle with medical expenses, lack of access to care, or the health challenges of poverty. Supporting organizations like ours that provide access to free primary medical care, health screenings, and medical aid ensures that underserved adult Valley individuals can receive the care they need. We hope you will consider giving to Volunteers in Medicine to improve lives. Your support has provided more than 4,500 instances of direct patient care to nearly 1,000 patients this year! Medical visits, vision and dental clinics, case management services, general and disease-specific education, social services, behavioral health, community referrals and much more are available to our Valley's estimated 25,000 uninsured adults, including medical outreach to unhoused persons. The act of giving doesn’t just benefit recipients; it enriches the giver. Research shows that acts of kindness, including charitable giving, boost emotional and physical well-being, fostering a sense of purpose and connection. Thanksgiving charity efforts often unite communities in care, whether through volunteering in one of our clinics, helping organize health fairs, or raising funds for critical health needs. Your support makes everything we do possible. Ultimately, Thanksgiving reminds us that gratitude is most meaningful when shared. By linking this season of thanks to healthcare-focused acts of giving, we uplift individuals in need and cultivate healthier, more connected communities. It's through our shared gratitude and collective efforts that we can make a real difference in the lives of those less fortunate, and in doing so, we become part of a larger, more caring community. Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving!