By Sam Douglass
NEWPORT – On July 25, Northeast Kingdom Hematology and Oncology (NEKHO) will hold its 12th Annual Brewfest in Newport. Each year, the private practice dedicates dozens of hours to planning the event to raise money for patients in need.
For Orleans County resident Dr. Leslie Lockridge, caring for patients extends well beyond the walls of his practice. Now in its 12th year, Brewfest has become an annual community fundraiser by Lockridge and his staff to support the Patient Caring Fund, an initiative he created to help patients manage medical expenses not covered by insurance. The event has grown into a local tradition that brings the community together for beer and live music, while supporting a good cause.
Originally from Indiana, Lockridge moved to Vermont almost 20 years ago. After the oncology department at North Country Hospital closed, Lockridge opened NEKHO to the community in 2012. He quickly recognized that many patients in the area needed extra support during their treatment. As a result, he created the Patient Caring Fund and held the first Brewfest to give those patients financial aid.
“Battling a serious illness is one thing, but trying not to go broke while undergoing treatment is another,” Lockridge said in an interview. “It’s tough to watch some of my patients go through what they have to go through when I know that just money could save them from some of it.”
The Patient Caring Fund, along with the Halo Foundation, helps pay for expenses not covered by health insurance, including prescription co-pays, medical equipment, gas cards for medical travel expenses and other costs related to health and well-being. Lockridge said the impact cannot easily be measured.
“Off the top of my head, I can’t tell you how many co-pays we’ve paid, how many gas cards we’ve issued, how many various things we’ve done for people that needed something to connect their care,” he said. “We’ve bought people dentures, glasses. It’s really situational, and we try to give people the most to make their care happen.”
NEKHO Office Manager Tori Pappalardo said the Patient Caring Fund reflects his dedication.
“Working at NEKHO, I’ve seen the hours that Les [Lockridge] puts into his patients, and the Patient Caring Fund is an extension of that,” Pappalardo said. “I’ve seen firsthand the effect it’s had on patients trying to afford their medical care.”
Planning Brewfest requires significant effort from NEKHO staff members, who volunteer their time outside of their regular work hours to help organize the event each year. Coordinating vendors, entertainment, promotional, and logistics are all needed to make the fundraiser possible.
The family-friendly event draws around 300 to 400 community members, including many returning donors who come back each year to support the cause.
The 12th annual Brewfest will take place July 25 from 3 to 9 p.m. at The Barn at the Top of the World, located at 1073 Upper Quarry Road in Newport. The venue is operated by Hilarie and Todd Wright, who donate its use for the charity.
This year’s event will feature live music from the BBQ Band, Jimmy Jacobs, Todd Pronto and yodeling Deb Murphy. Food offerings will include burgers supplied by For the Love of Food Catering, pizza from Derby Pie & Pasta and barbecue from Sky Bohannon.
Last year’s Brewfest featured Vermont producers including VT Hard Seltzer of Lyndonville, Citizen Cider of Burlington, Kingdom Brewing of Newport, Whetstone Beer of Brattleboro, and Burlington Beer Company. Wine was provided by Derby Pie & Pasta.
For Lockridge, Brewfest is about more than raising money.
“It’s about the community for us,” he said. “Besides bringing everyone together for a good cause, we’re actually implementing change on a small scale as best we can.”
Tickets can be purchased online here, or at the door.
