Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad Launches $5 million Capital Campaign

The Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad (SVFAS) Rescue Squad has taken a very big step, launching its first-ever  capital campaign in 50 years with the help of a volunteer fundraising committee led by former mayor Jordan Glatt,  Brett Haire, president of the Other Fellow First Foundation  and corporate partner Kevin Cummings, CEO of Investors Savings.

Leadership gifts totaling just over $4million from community leaders and corporations are making it possible for the Squad to move forward with plans for a new headquarters designed to meet Summit’s 21st Century emergency care needs.  A spring groundbreaking is anticipated for the new building to be constructed on the present Elm Street site.

Jordan Glatt, Summit’s mayor for eight years, is gratified but not surprised about the $4million contributed by Summit’s philanthropic neighbors in little more than a year. He commented,   “During my years as mayor, I learned that Summit could always count on the support of its people when a true need arises.  The generosity of our families and businesses is inspiring, and I have to believe that there is   much-needed community-wide public support for the Squad out there, too, to help reach the $5million goal”.

As Brett Haire says in telling the story of the First Aid Squad, “This selfless, totally volunteer outfit has been on call, watching the back of every Summit family for the last 52 years.  Ironically, now that they need help, with rebuilding their facility, they are not very comfortable in asking for it.  So we decided to help them”.

Operating under the motto, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors”, the SVFAS’ trained volunteers provide round-the-clock emergency services 365 days a year to Summit residents and visitors, ranging from the youngest to the oldest, and from sports events and street fairs to traffic accidents and snow storms.  All of their services are provided at no cost to tax payers.  Today, this good neighbor finds itself in need of some immediate help from the community it has so faithfully served over the past half century.  The Elm Street building is outmoded; overcrowded and too small to garage modern ambulances; provide required decontamination facilities essential for volunteers; house updated life-saving equipment, and shelter Squad members on overnight shifts during weather crisis events and other community emergencies.

During construction, which is planned to take one year, the Rescue Squad will relocate to temporary facilities generously offered by Salerno Duane to ensure seamless continuity of services and operations.

 John Christmann, president of the SVFAS, is happy to provide more information about the capital campaign, noting “Additional information about the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad’s capital campaign, building plans and the many ways to support the Squad is available at our website, www.summitems.org; or by emailing me at president@summitems.org. We are proud to be Summit’s first responders and thank you neighbors for your support over these many years”.