The following letter was submitted by Hatzolah’s Director of Development, Reb Avrohom Waxman: Dear Community Member, Close your eyes and think of those moments when someone takes ill or gets injured?
Those moments spent anxiously awaiting the Hatzolah member’s arrival. Those moments, which feel like eternity, but in reality are at lightning speed.
Those moments define Hatzolah.
When the blaring siren is heard careening through traffic; the moment is soon going to be in good hands.
When a father has to suddenly leave the Shabbos table to answer a call; the moment will forever inspire his wife and children.
There are so many moments like these and so many moments when we stand in awe of the altruistic bravery and perseverance of these ordinary, yet larger-than-life men who answer the call at a moment’s notice.
We see the courage, the selflessness and the sacrifices they make, day and night. Do we not owe it to ourselves and our families to support them to the best of our ability? We, collectively as a community, must reflect for at least a moment, and resolve to be there for Hatzolah to ensure that Hatzolah continues to be there for us.
Hatzolah of Lakewood is there for our community – to the tune of over 6,000 calls annually – moment after moment after moment, with no breaks.
Hatzolah of Lakewood, which serves our ever growing and expanding community, has an annual budget of $1,200,000. There is absolutely no way we can raise our budget to purchase and maintain the necessary equipment and provide the necessary services to our town, without the assistance and participation of every family in our city and every member of our Kehila.
To that end, we respectfully request that every family take a moment to reflect upon the importance of supporting Hatzolah and participate in our yearly Tomeich Hatzolah campaign and contribute the nominal contribution of $104 for the year. Your minor contribution of less than $10 a month will make a major difference in the efficiency of the entire Hatzolah team! If that is not feasible, we respectfully request that you contribute to the best
of your ability.
As a special incentive, if you reach a little deeper and increase your contribution to become a Chai Lifesaver Donor by donating $18/per month ($216), you will receive a complimentary copy of one of the following books:
Rav Schwab on Chumash by Myer J. Schwab
The Well-Spiced Life by Barbara Bensoussan
Diamonds from the Dubno Maggid by Rabbi Yisrael Yosef Bronstein
The Royal Mission by Rachel Stein
Furthermore, for each additional level of Chai Lifesaver Sponsorship contributed to this year’s campaign, you will receive an additional book of your choice. Chai Lifsaver sponsorship levels include $36/monthly ($432), $54/monthly ($648), and $72/monthly ($864).
In the Zechus of your seizing the moment and participating in our yearly campaign, may you and yours be Gebentched with many moments of joy, moments of Nachas and moments of success always.
With much appreciation,
Avrohom Waxman
Director of Development
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Here are some interesting yet unknown facts about Hatzolah, provided by the organization:
• Hatzolah responds to an area of 27.5 square miles. We also respond to calls in surrounding areas such as Howell, Brick and Jackson.
• Last year over 6,000 calls were answered.
• Hatzolah responded to close to 570 motor vehicle accidents.
• Hatzolah completed over 2,500 transports to local facilities.
• On an average month, 50 transports were done to out of town hospitals such as Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Robert Wood Johnson and various New York hospitals.
• Paramedics were needed for approximately 515 calls.
• 15 Hatzolah members are certified paramedics.
• Hatzolah has 2 physicians, a physician’s assistant, and a dentist on staff.
Click here to donate to the non-profit organization.