Local Rescue Squad Needs Your Social Media Support

If you’ve ever gotten a helping hand from the South Orange Volunteer Rescue Squad (SOVRS), here’s your chance to give back.

The rescue squad – which serves South Orange and Maplewood – is asking residents to help it secure a $25,000 grant from State Farm insurance via a social media campaign.

According to a release, the SOVRS is participating in State Farm’s Neighborhood Assist Program, which will award 40 grants to 200 applicants, based on the amount of votes they receive via social media.

After 43 years at its original facility, the Rescue Squad was forced to leave in order to make room for a development complex. If selected for a grant, the SOVRS will put the money toward rebuilding new headquarters and improving lifesaving services, like first aid and CPR training, the release stated.

“The money will allow us to once again have a safe, secure and appropriate facility from which to base operations, without having to drastically cut into the operating budget and savings, which could put our life saving programs in jeopardy,” stated SOVRS Chief Dan Cohen. “We are confident that with community support we can reach this amazing goal, complete the rebuilding of our headquarters and be able to better serve the community.”

Voting ends on June 3. Residents can vote up to 10 times daily at the below websites:

• https://www.state-assist.com/cause/1500225/south-orange-rescue-squad
• http://www.southorangerescuesquad.org/vote