The Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TVAC) is pleased to invite the community to celebrate its 75th anniversary. The gala will be held at World of Wings on August 14th at 7 p.m. Kosher food, as well as the venue and giveaways, have all been donated; all proceeds of the event will go back to TVAC, said past president Angelae Wilkerson.
The event’s honorees are Five Star Premier Residences of Teaneck, a living facility in Teaneck for the elderly. They have been consistently very supportive of TVAC and hold an annual in-house fundraiser and other events. “They have raised quite a lot for us and we want to make sure we thank them,” said Wilkerson.
TVAC is an all-volunteer corps of 150 EMTs, half of whom ride on a regular basis (some are on military, academic, medical or personal leave), and operates with four ambulances right now, with fundraising currently going toward purchasing a fifth.
“Many people may not realize that TVAC is one of the busiest volunteer ambulance corps in the county and in the state,” said Izzy Infield, TVAC current president. TVAC went on 4400 calls in 2013, and is on track to do that again. It also services the three major highways: I-95, Route 80, and Route 4.
Unique to TVAC, Infield said, is that a large percentage of the members are young and want to give back to the community. “While we have many members who are Jewish, the ambulance corps’ members represent the entire community. Most of our younger Jewish members are students at Frisch, TABC, Ma’ayanot, Yeshiva University, Teaneck High School, and many more. I myself am a graduate of the Frisch School, class of ’13,” Infield said.
Infield added that the Jewish community in Teaneck should know that when a 911 is made, no matter day or night, including Shabbos, members do their best to respond in a timely professional fashion. “As we are a volunteer organization, all donations are what help us continue to provide the service we do,” he said.
TVAC members come from all professions, age groups, and different walks of life: lawyers, teachers, doctors, nurses, people who work on Broadway, and students aged 15 and a half and up. Members are required to ride four hours per week or an eight-hour overnight shift, with two Sunday duties per year (when they ride 7 a.m.-7 p.m.). They are also asked to work extra shifts during blackouts or heat waves, when there is a need for extra crew and more people in the building. TVAC volunteers also buy their own uniforms and boots.
To attend the gala, email [email protected]. If you are interested in contributing, please visit www.TeaneckVAC.org. TVAC is a 501(c)3 organization; all contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
By Elizabeth Kratz
