Post by BrianSullivan on May 26, 2010 6:41:21 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-05-26/Front_Page/First_aid_squad_hopes_for_a_rebound_in_donations.html
First aid squad hopes for a rebound in donations
Members remind residents that emergency services depend on public’s generosity
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — The Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad’s fundraising drive fell short of its goal in 2009, with only 21 percent of residents who received a letter asking for a monetary contribution re- sponding to the plea for funds.
First aid squad officials are hoping that this year’s fundraising drive will be more successful — because it needs to be.
“We will definitely need financial support in order to continue serving Freehold Borough and Freehold Township,” said William Madden, a veteran member of the squad and a trustee.
He said June will be recognized as First Aid Month.
“The squad hopes everyone this year will support them financially in their endeavors,” Madden said. “The squad recently purchased two new ambulances in order to continue the work our members are doing. Please remember that all members are EMT certified.”
Madden said that in 2009, squad members answered almost 4,000 calls combined between Freehold Borough and Freehold Township.
He said the past five years have seen a continuing decline in donations from the public. While the squad will be able to continue as is for now, with volunteer service 24 hours a day, he reminded people that for the most part the squad is self-supporting and is sustained by donations from residents and businesses.
He noted that the squad does receive money from the Freehold Borough and Freehold Township governing bodies.
In addition to donations, the first aid squad’s revenue sources include money from Freehold Borough ($14,000, plus free gasoline, free water service, a tax-exempt building at 18 Spring St. to house the squad, and workers’ compensation); Freehold Township ($35,000); and support from Monmouth County.
The Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad is a nonprofit organization, according to treasurer Jim McAllister, who said the squad’s operating expenses for the past year were $275,000.
“We have tried to cut down on expenses and we have brought our costs down,” he said. “We are doing what everyone else is trying to do, tightening our belts.”
McAllister said that in addition to monetary donations, the squad also needs new members.
He said the squad is trying to save money because it will need to replace another ambulance in two or three years, and replace a road officer’s vehicle which is used for first responders to shorten response time.
David Cranmer, president and a 42-year veteran of the squad, said the first aid squad has 30 active members.
“And God bless every one of them who gets up in the middle of the night, or leaves their family at a holiday dinner or even in a restaurant to come and take a call,” Cranmer said.
He said 30 members is a rather small number of people to serve the combined population of Freehold Borough and Freehold Township (a total of about 48,000 residents).
He said that over the past few years the squad’s fund drive has yielded less money than is needed and he said that shortfall in donations has started to impact the organization’s cash reserve.
“The most important thing I would like residents to know is that we are a volunteer first aid squad strictly funded by donations from the public,” Cranmer said. “It doesn’t cost anything to have us come to their house and possibly save someone’s life. I hope they can find it in their hearts to make sure we are still around when and if they need us.”
First aid squad hopes for a rebound in donations
Members remind residents that emergency services depend on public’s generosity
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — The Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad’s fundraising drive fell short of its goal in 2009, with only 21 percent of residents who received a letter asking for a monetary contribution re- sponding to the plea for funds.
First aid squad officials are hoping that this year’s fundraising drive will be more successful — because it needs to be.
“We will definitely need financial support in order to continue serving Freehold Borough and Freehold Township,” said William Madden, a veteran member of the squad and a trustee.
He said June will be recognized as First Aid Month.
“The squad hopes everyone this year will support them financially in their endeavors,” Madden said. “The squad recently purchased two new ambulances in order to continue the work our members are doing. Please remember that all members are EMT certified.”
Madden said that in 2009, squad members answered almost 4,000 calls combined between Freehold Borough and Freehold Township.
He said the past five years have seen a continuing decline in donations from the public. While the squad will be able to continue as is for now, with volunteer service 24 hours a day, he reminded people that for the most part the squad is self-supporting and is sustained by donations from residents and businesses.
He noted that the squad does receive money from the Freehold Borough and Freehold Township governing bodies.
In addition to donations, the first aid squad’s revenue sources include money from Freehold Borough ($14,000, plus free gasoline, free water service, a tax-exempt building at 18 Spring St. to house the squad, and workers’ compensation); Freehold Township ($35,000); and support from Monmouth County.
The Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad is a nonprofit organization, according to treasurer Jim McAllister, who said the squad’s operating expenses for the past year were $275,000.
“We have tried to cut down on expenses and we have brought our costs down,” he said. “We are doing what everyone else is trying to do, tightening our belts.”
McAllister said that in addition to monetary donations, the squad also needs new members.
He said the squad is trying to save money because it will need to replace another ambulance in two or three years, and replace a road officer’s vehicle which is used for first responders to shorten response time.
David Cranmer, president and a 42-year veteran of the squad, said the first aid squad has 30 active members.
“And God bless every one of them who gets up in the middle of the night, or leaves their family at a holiday dinner or even in a restaurant to come and take a call,” Cranmer said.
He said 30 members is a rather small number of people to serve the combined population of Freehold Borough and Freehold Township (a total of about 48,000 residents).
He said that over the past few years the squad’s fund drive has yielded less money than is needed and he said that shortfall in donations has started to impact the organization’s cash reserve.
“The most important thing I would like residents to know is that we are a volunteer first aid squad strictly funded by donations from the public,” Cranmer said. “It doesn’t cost anything to have us come to their house and possibly save someone’s life. I hope they can find it in their hearts to make sure we are still around when and if they need us.”