On a beautiful Sunday in September, the Hillside and Elizabeth communities came together for a picnic BBQ and fundraiser sponsored by Yellowstone Capital to benefit Hatzalah of Union County. Although a good time was had by all, the main event was to raise money and assure the future operation and funding of this busy and crucial Hatzalah organization.
In these communities, it is well known that if someone needs emergency medical services, Hatzalah arrives first. Local volunteer EMTs are dispatched with a phone call and are “peppered” throughout the community. So when a call goes out from a trained Hatzalah EMT dispatcher, chances are that the Hatzalah volunteer EMT who responds will be someone who lives locally, allowing him to be at the door within minutes. The ambulance follows, and assessment and/or treatment is often already in progress by the time it arrives. These ambulances, too, are centrally located, providing quick and easy access to the community.
Yudi Abraham, Hatzalah board member, made some brief remarks before presenting an award to the sponsor, Yellowstone Capital. He reminded everyone of the sobering memories of September 11, 2001, and that Hatzalah was the first responder to the worst attack on home soil in the history of the United States. Throughout the rescue and recovery, Hatzalah remained instrumental in providing care, treatment, transportation and other services to the injured and to other rescuers at Ground Zero.
The event was generously sponsored by Yellowstone Capital, and dedicated to the memory of Aviv Henry Boaz, who was a beloved associate at Yellowstone. In accepting Hatzalah’s award plaque of appreciation for their donation, CEO Yitz Stern spoke of Boaz’s enthusiasm and dedication to his work, and how much he is missed by his colleagues, family and friends. Dedicating the ambulance, which will help sustain and protect the well-being of others in medical crisis, will perpetuate the memory of Boaz in a way that would be meaningful and important to him. The oversized award plaque had a nameplate affixed for each of the Yellowstone associates who joined to make the donation of the new ambulance possible.
Hillside Mayor Angela Garretson addressed a crowd of several hundred to express her admiration and appreciation of all the community brings to Hillside Township. She expressed her high regard for the unity of the local Jewish community, and that the community can be proud of its accomplishments, including the services of Hatzalah. The mayor expressed her hopes for the potential growth that will benefit the Township of Hillside and the Jewish community mutually. The Jewish Link spoke briefly with the mayor, digressing briefly to recall a conversation that took place last summer following Hillside’s approval of the zoning variances required to pave the way for the new AI shul construction. Some of the Hillside EMT/firefighters had attended the hearings and commented afterwards how much the work of Hatzalah helps them. “We are so busy and cover so much territory for emergency calls, all day and night,” one EMT had said. “You guys do a great job, and provide a great service to the community; and you have no idea how much it helps us, how much easier it makes our job.”
The fundraiser was also attended by Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky, Rav Elazar Teitz, Rabbi Jonathan Schwartz, Rabbi Michael Bleicher and Rabbi Avremy Kanelsky and members of their families. The Hatzalah board members and many of the 38 active Hatzalah volunteer EMTs were in attendance as well. The goal was to raise $100,000 in donations and pledges at this event. With donations and pledges still coming in, the total as of this writing was over $75,000.
There are many ways to add your donation to the campaign. Visit HatzalahofUnionCounty.org to donate or for more information.
By Ellie Wolf
