VINA Updates

VINA by the Numbers

Patient Spotlights

Patient Testimonial

Spring Auction

Community Events

VINA's 2022 So Far

Getting Involved

VINA Updates & VINA by the Numbers

VINA continues to provide appointments to people in need in our community. THANK YOU for all your help and participation.

VINA staff, volunteers and board members are back out in the community as many in-person events return for the first time since 2019 and 2020. You can read more and see pictures later in the newsletter.

Dr. Allen Sara served on VINA's Board of Directors during in his final year at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. He graduated in early May and is on to new beginnings — CONGRATULATIONS!

VINA is welcoming two new students to our Board of Directors — Alex Eason (D4) & John Robertson (D3).

VINA Patient Spotlight

Victors for Veterans Spotlight

A patient sent a kind handwritten thank you note to VINA and Dr. Bonine's offices.

"Your kindness has helped our lives greatly and we are so grateful. We are truly thankful that you do dentistry services for folks with low income and no insurance.

Without Dr. Bonine and VINA Dental, we would’ve had nowhere to go. You have treated us with the utmost respect, and so has the staff.

Without VINA, Bill would still have severe tooth pain and it eventually would’ve cost him the job he just got, so we are so happy that your facility helps those without much money and insurance.”

George served in Korea and went went without dental care for almost three years before the V4V program. He said he was disappointed that he didn’t get dental care coverage as a veteran, even recounting a story about a friend in the Navy who now has life-long heart problems from untreated dental needs.

When asked about his experience at the clinic, George says, “Everyone here is warm and kind-spirited. I mean, who wants to go to the dentist? I would almost break a tooth to come back.”

George is looking forward to being able to chew on both sides of his mouth again. He says coming to the clinic has made him both happy and hopeful for the future. George says, “I am incredibly grateful.”

VINA Patient Testimonial

“Thank you all for the work you do to serve your community and provide excellent dental care to those of us who otherwise wouldn’t be able to get it.

My experience with your office has been completely positive — from the patient, compassionate attention given to my two-year-old son to the pleasant, friendly reception at my appointment, to the kind and skilled care I got from my hygienist and dentist.

I am thankful to God for all of you for committing yourselves to serving with enthusiasm, cheerfulness and excellence. Thank you!”

– Katie, VINA Patient

Spring Auction

VINA had a great spring auction, even if it had to be virtual again this year! We auctioned off a bunch of different themed baskets, jewelry, signed memorabilia, fun experiences and golf packages.

Thank you to everyone who bid, donated, bought sponsorships and helped spread the word!

Remember to save the date for the rest of our 2022 fundraising events. The VINA Charity Golf Classic is on Monday, July 18 and The Michigan—Michigan State Tailgate is on Thursday, October 27.

Thank you to our 2022 March On to Spring with VINA Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Mary & Rich Ray
Bank of Ann Arbor

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Silver Sponsors (cont.)

Richard & Mary Galbally
Hands On Health Chiropractic
Dr. Karen Kerry
Drs. Donald & Sandra LaTurno
McMillan & Associates CPA PC
Pauline & Bob Schaffer

Donate Your Dinner to VINA

Cindy Armbruster
Dr. Anne & Rick Bibik
Carolina DeLuca
Fowlerville Family Dentistry
TDR Orthodontics — Dr. Gordon Niles

Community Events

VINA staff attended the Sparkling Smiles Celebration to promote and show the success of the clinic and the Victors for Veterans (V4V) Program. The Sparkling Smiles Celebration is hosted by the Michigan Dental Association Foundation, who fund the V4V program and Prevention Incentive Program at VINA.

VINA also had a table at the Michigan Dental Association Annual Session in Novi at the end of April. This event helped the VINA team meet new dental professionals and spread the word about the clinic

VINA had a table at Community Connect in early February 2022 to help find new patients in need of services. We had a great time handing out our new chip clips and seeing some more nonprofit leaders in the community again!

VINA's 2022 So Far

First and foremost, we want to say thank you. Thank you for donating. Thank you for volunteering. Thank you for attending fundraising events. Thank you for spreading the word about VINA. Thank you for all you do.

We say it a lot but we can never say it enough — VINA could not operate without YOU.

The first half of 2022 flew by as we got back to more community events and continued treating patients. The number of veterans and seniors continues to grow and VINA is always looking for new ways to serve these populations and all other patients who come to the clinic.

Due to inflation and the rising cost of living, VINA expanded the income ceiling to better serve our community. Previously 225% of the Federal Poverty Level, VINA's income ceiling is now 250% of the FPL. This allows VINA to serve even more people in need in our community because even though wages are rising, the cost of everything else is rising so low and limited-income individuals still cannot afford dental care without insurance coverage.

We were disappointed to have a virtual spring auction in place of the in-person Gala this year. With the early 2022 COVID surge we erred on the side of caution and hope to be back next year in person. Unfortunately, the virtual fundraiser revenue was half that of an in-person event. To make up for this shortfall, we shared Nate's story for our Spring Appeal. If you missed Nate's story or would like to support the appeal, please visit click here to read it.

We expanded the income ceiling for patients because of inflation in order to better serve our community. This also means that VINA, like everyone else, is struggling with higher costs to run and maintain the clinic.

So we ask you, if you can give, please do. We are grateful for anything you can give to support your fellow neighbors in need. If you can't give monetarily, help us spread the word. There are more than 17,000 people in Livingston County who financially qualify for VINA and we need your help sharing VINA's mission and story to continue reaching new patients, volunteers, potential partners and donors.

VINA relies on the compassion and selflessness of this wonderful community, and you always come through for those less fortunate and in need.

Thank you for always doing what you can to help others.

Getting Involved

Help VINA provide dental care to neighbors in need by donating, volunteering, coming to one of our fundraising events, signing up for Kroger Rewards and/or Amazon Smile and spreading the word about VINA!

Visit www.vinadental.org/howtohelp or call (810) 844-0240 for more information.

Next Fundraiser: VINA Charity Golf Classic at Lakelands Golf & Country Club on Monday, July 18, 2022 with a 9 am shotgun start.