Madison Stuffs An Ambulance ...

Madison Ambulance Association, North Madison Volunteer Fire Company, Madison Hose Company No. 1, the Women's Club of Madison and the town organized a drive to help Broad Channel, a community in Queens, NY that was devastated by Sandy.

They asked the town to help and on Saturday, they town showed up to do just that.

Jacqueline gave up her allowance. Tuxis Lumber donated two huge garbage cans full of cleaning supplies. And on, and on, and on. Check out the pictures to see everything that was donated. Thank you to everyone who donated, and to the volunteers from the fire companies, the ambulance association, the women's club and others who gave up their Saturday to collect and start packing the supplies.

Michelle Olds from Artistic Sign Language on Bradley Road had already donated her time to re-letter an ambulance that the town is no longer using. Town officials, instead of selling it for the small amount it might bring on the resale market, opted instead to donate it to Broad Channel, which lost two ambulances, and a fire engine in the storm.

Thanks to Michelle, instead of saying Madison, when that ambulance rolls up to its new home on Thursday, it will say Broad Channel Fire Department, Queens, N.Y. and be ready to go to work.

If you didn't get a chance to help out Saturday, there is still time. Donations are being accepted through Tuesday at Madison Ambulance (9 Old Route 79) until Tuesday, 27 November 2012. For more information contact EMS Director Chris Bernier at 203-245-9821 or chris.bernier@madisonambulance.org

Here is the full release from the organizations who spononsored the drive:

This information was provided by the Madison Ambulance Association, the town's volunteer fire departments, and the Women's Club of Madison:

The Town of Madison, CT and the Madison Ambulance Association will donate the Town’s 1998 ambulance to the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department located on the south shore of Long Island.  Broad Channel sustained heavy losses, including two ambulances and a fire engine, as a result of Hurricane Sandy three weeks ago.  A video of the damage and request for help can be seen at: http://youtu.be/2FPniy445fI.

The ambulance to be donated was scheduled to be traded in as part of purchasing the Town’s new ambulance.  However, the trade in amount was so small that the Board of Selectmen decided at their meeting on Nov. 13th that it should be donated to a worthy agency in need.  The Madison Ambulance Association then found the Broad Channel request.

As part of the ambulance donation, the Madison community is invited to “Stuff an Ambulance” with goods for the Broad Channel community in their time of need.  This effort is being spearheaded by the Madison Ambulance Association, Madison Hose Co. # 1, the North Madison Volunteer Fire Dept., and the Madison Women’s Club.  The following items are requested:

• Cleaning supplies
• Work gloves
• Winter gloves
• Winter hats
• Batteries
• Rechargeable batteries
• Dust masks
• Band-aids
• Mops
• Brooms
• Bleach
• Buckets
• Heavy duty garbage bags
• Wipes
• Diapers
• New packs of underwear and socks
• Extension cords
• Power strips
• Non perishable foods
• Aluminum food trays
• Aluminum foil
• Paper plates
• Bowls
• Cups
• Plastic silverware
• School supplies

People may drop off donated items on Saturday, 24 November 2012 from 9:00am-3:00pm at the Madison Hose Company # 1 (665 Boston Post Road) and the North Madison Volunteer Fire Company (864 Opening Hill Road).  Volunteers from the Fire Companies, Women’s Club and Ambulance will be on site to collect donations.

Donated items will be loaded into the ambulance and brought to the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department.

If you are unable to donate on Saturday, donations can be dropped off at Madison Ambulance (9 Old Route 79) until Tuesday, 27 November 2012.

For more information contact EMS Director Chris Bernier at 203-245-9821 or chris.bernier@madisonambulance.org