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Letters To The Editor

Tuesday November 23, 2010

MVAA Celebrates Forty Years-Please Consider Donating

   The Middlebury volunteer Ambulance Association, better known as MVAA, is celebrating its’ 40th birthday this month. On November 20, 1970, a small group of local residents pooled their efforts and began an ambulance service soon to be called MVAA.

   Forty years later, MVAA has grown into a professional service that is staffed by trained Paramedics and Transfer Specialists, as well as many highly skilled and dedicated volunteers. The Ambulance vehicle has also gone through a series of tranformations from the first MVAA “rig”, being a donated “retired funeral hearse” all the way to today’s fleet consisting of three Advanced Life Support vehicles, a Heavy Rescue unit, a Paramedic Response SUV and a Mass Casualty Trailer.

   Presently, MVAA services ten towns within a 370 square mile radius. The towns are: Bridport, Cornwall, Middlebury, New Haven, Orwell, Ripton, Salisbury, Shoreham, Weybridge, and Whiting. MVAA’s highly trianed crews respond to over 1700 calls per year and are “on call” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

   Several year ago, MVAA severely outgrew their former “retro-fitted” facility on Elm Street and seriously began to explore the feasibility of building a new facility in order to address their expanding needs as well as preparing for future use. After extensive work, design plans were accepted and MVAA negotiated with Middlebury College over leasing a section of land adjacent to Porter Hospital. the MVAA Board of Directors decided to break ground in Novemnber of 2009 and began construction during last winter. By beginning this project then, MVAA saved $400,000.00 in building costs due to the economic downturn and slow economy. In addition to the cost savings, bread Loaf Inc., the contractor, was able to offer their employees and sub-contractors empoyment over the winter. while it seemed very strange to many that MVAA was building before a Capital Campaign was in place, the cost savings were too enormous to ignore. The new facility opened in September and MVAA is in their new home.

   In order to pay for the new facility, MVAA launched a Capital Campaign with the goal of raising $1000,000.00. Mickey and Carol Heinecken graciously accepted the role of chairpersons and are leading the campaign with great vigor and determination. As of this date, the Capital Campaign has raised over $570,000.00 in pledges to be paid over the next five years. Additionally, Middlebury College has generously made a challenge pledge that for every $150,000.00 that MVAA raises, they will pay $50,000 up to $250,000.00 over the next five years.

   Please take a few minutes and reflect on how MVAA has perhaps been there during your time of emergency need or how MVAA’s involvement within your community has alleviated much anxiety during emegencies. The reality, however, is that due to Medicaid and Medicare re-imbursements being reduced, more and more individuals being uninsured, as well as escalating costs for equipment and training, MVAA is facing financial challenges and needs your financial help. Letters are going out to the citizens of the various ten communities asking for their financial assistance in this Capital Campaign. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to MVAA. Your donation can be mailed to MVAA at 55 collins Drive, Middlebury, Vermont 05753.

   MVAA has served you for forty years and it is the goal of every member of MVAA to provide you with the best patient care that is possible now and in the future.You need MVAA and MVAA needs you! On behalf of the MVAA Members, Staff and Board of Director, I thank you for your kind consideration to our appeal.

Most Sincerely,
Kevin D. Parizo-President MVAA Board of Directors.

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