Spotswood first aid depends on donations and volunteers

I’m writing on behalf of the members of the Spotswood First Aid Squad in response to the letter to the editor from Mike Legal (“Where Has the Spotswood First Aid Squad Gone?”) that appeared in the Nov. 11 issue of the Sentinel.

The Spotswood First Aid Squad is a volunteer organization solely funded by donations. Our organization has a total of 22 members. To be exact, we have 13 emergency medical technicians (EMTs), five drivers, one first responder and three cadets. Between the hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., we have what we call night crews. The night crews consist of two or three members who commit themselves one-two nights a week to answer emergency calls. Between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., members do the best they can to answer calls.

If members are not available during the daytime, Monroe First Aid responds to the emergency calls in Spotswood. This arrangement with Monroe has been in effect for years. It is done to ensure the safety of the residents of Spotswood.

Along with responding to emergency calls, we plan annual fund-raisers. Some examples of our fund-raisers are our Easter flower sale, our fund drive and our home interiors demonstrations. All members are required to volunteer time to make these fund-raisers successful. This means that our members need to take more time away from daily routines, families and careers to devote more time to volunteering.

Many residents have the misconception that their annual taxes are what keep the first aid squad afloat. Unfortunately, this is incorrect. Fund-raisers and donations from the community are what keep the squad functioning.

The residents of Spotswood need to know that our organization members are extremely grateful for their continuous generosity. If it weren’t for their contributions, Spotswood First Aid would be extinct. Residents also need to be reminded that our members have families, careers and everyday responsibilities, which makes it difficult for us to be there 24/7.

Our organization welcomes anyone who may be interested in volunteering to help the community. If interested, please feel free to stop in at 57 Devoe Ave. and obtain an application for membership.

In conclusion, we in no way consider Spotswood First Aid Squad defunct. We are proud to volunteer our time. We do our best to keep this organization functioning, and believe it or not, many residents thank us for a job well-done.

Therefore, we will continue to do a good job, we will continue to grow, and we will continue to hold our heads up high.

Margie Servis

assistant captain

Spotswood First Aid Squad