First Aid Squad Fund Drive at Nearly Half it's Goal

In early October, your "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" at the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad launched their annual fundraising appeal . The goal of the campaign is to raise $300,000 to fund squad operations and help offset costs of upgrading to a digital radio network for use with Summit police and fire departments during emergency response incidents.

The Squad has just about reached half of that goal and for the next 2 months will continue outreach to its neighbors; an appeal letter that highlights reasons to donate and how to make a donation was mailed to each household in Summit.

Ask 81-year-old Summit neighbor Seth Bodner who was hit by a car on the corner of Morris Avenue and Maple Street. He remembers walking into town on a sunny autumn day and starting to cross the street. Seth woke up at Morristown Medical Center unable to move. He attributes the professional skill and care used by the First Aid Squad as the only reason he is able to walk today. Squad EMTs used equipment purchased with donated funds to stabilize and transport Seth to the hospital. For more on Seth’s story, visit the Summit First Aid Squad YouTube channel.

Since 1962, the Summit First Aid Squad has been staffed entirely by volunteers and served as the City's primary emergency ambulance agency. There are currently over 90 active Squad volunteers answering more than 2,100 calls a year, responding 24 hours a day, and saving Summit taxpayers over one million dollars annually. Tax-deductible donations will directly fund the purchase of communication services, as well as medical supplies and other equipment used by Squad EMTs when responding to 9-1-1 calls as well as ongoing professional training for First Aid Squad members.

The Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad, Inc. is an independent non-profit corporation dedicated to providing emergency medical services (EMS), non-emergency ambulance transportation, and safety training to the Summit community. All of its services are provided free of charge and funded entirely through private donations. For information on membership click HERE. Donations by check may be mailed to: Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad, PO Box 234., Summit, NJ 07902. You can also donate online at summitems.org/donate