June 28, 2005 - For
Immediate Release:
Northwestern
Auxiliary makes $17,500 Donation to Help Improve
Local Ambulance Services
New Tripoli PA.
- Northwestern Ambulance Corps announced earlier
this year that it would begin to provide highly
specialized Advanced Life Support (ALS) services to
the communities it serves. Fund raising drives have
been in progress all year resulting in significant
generosity for this very important upgrade to
emergency medical services.
Today, Northwestern Ambulance Corps is pleased to
announce the receipt of a donation of over $17,500
from our Auxiliary, which is the result of years of
fund raising efforts held by the Auxiliary for the
benefit of the Northwestern Ambulance Corps.
"Over nearly the last three decades, our
Auxiliary has been a significant contributor to the
growth of our community based ambulance service.",
said Larry Hartman, president of Northwestern
Ambulance Corps. "Their tireless efforts in the
face of declining volunteerism have been greatly
appreciated by everyone here, and has help serve
everyone in our community", said Hartman.
Regrettably, this gift comes with a bit of sad news
as well. Earlier this year the Auxiliary voted to
cease operations due in part to the nationwide
shortage of volunteers that has affected all
volunteer services. The donation received today
represents the balance of the fund raising account
and the closure of the Auxiliaries services.
"We believe we made a big difference in the
quality of life for our community over the years",
said Barbara Rehrig, a longtime Auxiliary member
speaking on behalf of the group. "We're very proud
of the people who helped us over the years, and we
leave knowing the community is better off because of
everyone's hard work", Rehrig concludes.
While the Auxiliary will be missed, the substantial
donation could not have come at a better time.
Northwestern Ambulance Corps began providing
Advanced Life Support services on June 1, 2005 and
is still working to fund this expensive and needed
service.
"Since June 1, our ALS service, a virtual
emergency room on wheels, have helped people who
have had heart attacks, breathing trouble and
serious vehicle accidents.", said Kathy Van Allen,
Northwestern Ambulance Corps director of
operations. "Our new ALS service responds to
patients faster than ever before and now carries
emergency room medications and equipment to provide
immediate and possibly life saving care. Our area is
now as modern and well served as the biggest cities
in the country when it comes to emergency ambulance
care.", says Van Allen.
A
roster of over 50 specially trained volunteer and
career staff EMT's and paramedics now work
at Northwestern Ambulance Corps providing 24 hour a
day, year round emergency medical care to over 100
square miles of northwestern Lehigh County and parts
of eastern Berks County.
Northwestern Ambulance Corps will continue fund
raising efforts for the Advanced Life Support
project this summer with a special Lifetime
Membership fund drive.
The
Board of Directors of the Northwestern Ambulance
Corps wishes all the best to everyone who has helped
with the Auxiliary of the years. We thank you all
from the bottom of our hearts!
