Page 20 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2018

COASTNOTES Set for April 17
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
photos courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy
After its highly successful inaugural event last year, White Coats & Wine returns to the Coast on April 17 from 6-9 p.m. at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino.
White Coats and Wine is a poolside wine tasting event benefitting the St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy
(SVDPRX). “The event provides necessary funding for SVDPRX to purchase medicine for its program participants,” said Executive Director Samuel J. Burke. “The Mission of the St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy is to provide prescription medication and wellness education to those in need.”
The SVDPRX serves the lower 17 counties of Mississippi with locations in Biloxi (Main Pharmacy), Moss Point-Extension Site, Bay St. Louis-Extension Site, and Hattiesburg-Extension Site. Last year, the pharmacy filled 30,000 prescriptions for 774 clients. The value of the medicine dispensed was more than $1.4 million. SVDPRX continues to be able to put 93 percent of every dollar raised directly towards its mission due to the dedication of its 125 volunteers.
While this may only be the second year of White Coats and Wine, 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy. The event will feature more than 100 wines available for tasting, live music provided by acclaimed New Orleans Jazz Pianist Matt Lemmler, silent auction, and heavy hors d’oeuvres.
“Ongoing financial support of our mission is always critical,” said Burke. “Medicine costs continue to rise, as well as demand for our service. Aside from financial support, we are always looking for volunteers as they are instrumental to the operations of our program.”
The pharmacy is in need of volunteers in multiple capacities, including administrative, eligibility screeners, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacists.
Tickets for the event can be purchased online or by phone. Individual tickets are $100 and tickets for couples are $150.
St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy
715-B Division Street
P.O. Box 1228, Biloxi, MS 39533-1228 228.374.9097 • www.svdprx.org
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL COMMUNITY PHARMACY Executive Director Samuel Burke.
20 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • April 2018 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net