Who would be interested...

[LilRedCorvette]

...in a cruise to the Gesundheit Institute in WV (alternative care facility you may remember from the movie 'Patch Adams')? It would be an extended weekend (Thursday to Sunday) of cruising out with our 'vettes, hopefully with some pledge money to donate to the cause and doing some volunteer work.

I am awaiting a reply on what the volunteer work involves; at this point, just trying to gauge interest. The usual limit for visitors is 10 but I may be able to get the contact person to extend that if we have sufficient interest. Additionally, I am putting out feelers on where to stay for the duration of the event, as well as some social and 'fun' activities to do in between all of the volunteer work projects.

Possible dates are: April 14-17, July 7-10, September 15-18. Leaning toward the latter as it wouldn't be in conflict with rallye or concours, (if we even have one).

A BIG goal of this club this past year has been to get more involved with charities; giving our time to help with needy causes as well as donating monetary resources, since the club is more in a position to do so. Since this charity also is a bit more high-profile, it would give the club some good exposure and publicity.

Soooooooooooooooo.....who's in?

[wazzzup]

Laurie,

I'd be interested in something like that. 3 days is a little lengthy for some, but if you could put some kind of agenda together I think it might spark some intrest from others as well. [:)]

[LilRedCorvette]

Laurie,

I'd be interested in something like that. 3 days is a little lengthy for some, but if you could put some kind of agenda together I think it might spark some intrest from others as well. [:)]

I know it's a bit lengthy (actually it's 4 days, not 3) and I am not in charge of the agenda, Gesundheit is. All I was gonna add was maybe an informal club gathering somewhere for dinner to add to the 'social/fun' factor a bit.

Here is Gesundheit's agenda:

Thursday: arrival/orientation
Friday: work rpojects
Saturday: coversations/hikes/community explorations
Sunday: clean-up/check-out/departures

Like I said before, I am awaiting an e-mail back from my contact person to see what the volunteerism entails. Then I will update my post here.

If interest is low on the 4 day weekend, then I will see about just doing an overnight Sat-Sun cruise-out and tour/visit of the site for our club, with still the pledge/cruise donation to give to Gesundheit.

Keep weighing in, people....

[badaz06]

Laurie,

Having not seen the movie, could you expand some on what they do there?

[LilRedCorvette]

Laurie,

Having not seen the movie, could you expand some on what they do there?

The movie in a nutshell: Patch Adams (the lead character is played by Robin Williams) is a comedy based on the true story of a compassionate but outrageous medical student who risks his career by defying the medical profession with his unwavering belief that laughter is contagious.

Inspired to become a doctor while institutionalized for depression as a teenager, Patch Adams attended the Medical College of Virginia in the late '60s and early '70s. After graduation, he formed the Gesundheit Institute, dedicated to a more connected, personalized approach to medicine.

Using unconventional methods and wacky surprises to ease patients' anxiety and enhance their healing, Patch helped pioneer the then-startling idea that doctors should treat people, not just disease. Compassion, involvement and empathy, Patch holds, are as great a value to physicians as breakthrough medicines and technological advancements.

I highly recommend anyone considering helping with this effort to rent this movie and watch it. Additionally, Gesundheit Institute has a website for more information on what they do: http://www.patchadams.org/flash.htm

I hope this helps. If there are any more questions or if anyone else is interested in taking part in this activity, please continue to post here. Thanks!

[badaz06]

Thank you :)