Regional Food Drive In Manchester Considered A Success

By JESSE LEAVENWORTH

The Hartford Courant

4:57 p.m. EST, November 25, 2013

MANCHESTER — A regional food drive in its fifth year tallied “phenomenal” results, an organizer announced Monday.

The Emergency of Hunger drive, run by emergency response agencies and Rotary Club members, gathered 38,309 food items, $24,143 in cash, checks and gift cards and 596 turkeys, event organizer Dave Skoczulek said.

Donations were gathered at supermarkets in Manchester, South Windsor, Vernon, Windsor and Enfield, the latest community to join the effort. The donations go to food pantries and shelters in each town.

“Because we keep adding towns and changing hours and tinkering with the format, it’s hard to say if it was the biggest year,” Skoczulek said. “But I would say it was the best year. We had the most fun, brought in a huge amount, had the best interactions with the public and saw the biggest desire to give.”

Over the past five years, the drive has tallied 147,000 food items, $96,186 in donations and 4,170 turkeys.

Read the Courant article by clicking here…

‘Emergency of Hunger’ Food Drive to Continue this Weekend

 

Gallery includes pictures from last weekend. 

MANCHESTER — The demand on local food assistance programs continues to increase for a number of reasons. This makes efforts like the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive at the Stop and Shop Supermarkets in the area THIS WEEKEND even more important.

  • Manchester:      286 Broad Street. November 16, 17, 23 and 24. 900a-500p.
  • Rockville:          50 Windsorville Road. November 23 and 24. 900a-400p.
  • Vernon:             10 Pitkin Road. November 23 and 24. 900a-400p.

The Manchester Food Drive is sponsored by IMCORP, organized by Ambulance Service of Manchester and powered by volunteers from ASM, Manchester Police, Manchester Fire Rescue EMS, the Rotary Club and MACC Charities staff and more has raised a lot of money, food, and turkeys over the five  years of its existence. It fills the freezers, the pantry and adds money that is so important to help with special needs for babies, diabetics and others with dietary issues, and other important household needs.

We urge you to show up SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 AND 24 at the Stop and Shop in Manchester and share so that others may eat.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 16

Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.MANCHESTER and HARTFORD — Aetna Ambulance and ASM send Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients who have received emergency or STAT inter-facility services from our companies.

The final question in the survey asks “Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service?” And, “Please use one word to describe us.”

Some of the answers/responses included:

  • Caring, professional. As a person who grew up with the Grady’s I know they would be proud of [the] service you are providing.
  • Mr. Robert Hamilton was most caring as was Ashley Cichy (13-84822).
  • The woman who took care of my son on the way to the hospital was great (K. Russell). She was funny and tried to ease my son’s nerves, yet very professional and did what she had to do. I was very happy with her service. (13-78443).
  • The two paramedics were courteous and very competent.
  • Caring and concerned for my privacy. Would use your service again.
  • Great and professional.
  • Fabulous.
  • Excellent!!!
  • Satisfactory.
  • Excellent care.
  • Job well done.
  • Friendly and professional.
  • Professional and caring.
  • Caring/competent
  • Professional and compassionate x 2.
  • Wonderful.
  • Saved my life!
  • Your staff were very professional and kind.
  • Professional + competent
  • Caring
  • Professionalism/Skilled.

Apparently we are professional!

The Hartford Circus Fire and Aetna Ambulance: Volume 6

by Sam Porcello

Miss earlier volumes? Click here…

bb20d332c8One of the things that surprised me the most during my project research was the fact that the Gradys concealed their ownership of Aetna Ambulance, afraid that, 20 years before the Civil Rights Amendment, people would be reluctant to do business with African Americans.  As Mrs. Grady recounted:

“(My family) found it difficult to get loans to finance their business.  My dad was a local artist and would use what money he received from selling his paintings into the ambulance business.  He was also a barber!  They would conceal their ownership in the following ways: 1) By calling their business Aetna [ostensibly named, with permission, after the insurance company that they worked for] instead of Grady Ambulance because they knew that the general public would probably not do business with them because of the color of their skin; 2) When they appeared in photographs together helping patients they were careful not to have their names recorded or their actual relationship to the business recorded.  People would believe that they were only the ‘ambulance attendants’ which was the intention.”

Emergency Of Hunger Food Drive Starts In Four Towns

By JESSE LEAVENWORTH

The Hartford Courant

3:37 p.m. EST, November 15, 2013

Read the Courant version here…

Food Drive 2013

MANCHESTER — Emergency responders and Rotary Club members launched a regional drive Friday to collect food and other donations for needy people.

This is the fifth year of the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive. Representatives of police, fire and ambulance agencies, Rotary Club members and pantry managers from Manchester, South Windsor and Vernon gathered Friday at Manchester Area Conference of Churches Charities to kick off the drive.

Volunteers in those towns, Enfield and Windsor collect food and monetary donations at area supermarkets. In the past five years, the drive has gathered about 108,000 food and personal care items, 4,100 turkeys and more than $75,000 in cash, checks and gift cards, organizers said.

All collections are to be held at Stop & Shop supermarkets, except one at Geissler’s Supermarket in South Windsor. Dates and times for the collections are:

Manchester — Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 286 Broad St.

Enfield — Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 54 Hazard Ave.

Rockville — Nov. 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 50 Windsorville Road

Vernon — Nov. 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 10 Pitkin Road

South Windsor — Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the Stop & Shop at 1739 Ellington Road and on the same days and times at Geissler’s Supermarket, 965 Sullivan Ave.

Windsor held its collection earlier this month, organizers said.

All food and donations go to food banks in the towns where they are donated, organizers said.

“In other words, everything stays local so that neighbors are helping neighbors,” organizer David Skoczulek of Ambulance Service of Manchester wrote in a news release.

Movember Team: Ambulance Service of Moustache

MANCHESTER — ASM EMT Sean Norton writes, “You may have seen several ASM employees with oddly shaped facial hair at work lately. This is not only because it looks great but we are doing it to change the face of men’s health. Movember was started to raise money for the research of testicular and prostate cancer as well as mental health.

Movember - Ambulance Service of Moustache

Some members of ASM’s Movember Team: (L to R) Sean Norton, Jonathan Lentini, Matt Tuttle and Steeve Parent. Missing: Kevin King and Vinnie Maston.

We have a team called Ambulance Service of Moustache that can be found by following the link. That will bring you to my page just click donate and choose our team. Any little bit you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your consideration.”

‘Emergency of Hunger’ Food Drive Begins This Weekend

MANCHESTER — The Fifth Annual ‘Emergency of Hunger’ Food Drive officially starts this weekend. Emergency and public service agencies in five communities band together with Rotary Clubs to collect for local food banks.

Further details on the Food Drive: This is year five and thus far we have collected: 108,000 food and personal care items, 4100 turkeys and over $75,000 in cash, checks and gift cards.

Here are the currently scheduled Food Drive dates and times by town. The following are Stop and Shop locations unless otherwise noted:

  • Enfield:  54 Hazard Avenue. November 17: 900a-400p.
  • Manchester:  286 Broad Street. November 16, 17, 23 and 24. 900a-500p.
  • Rockville:  50 Windsorville Road. November 23 and 24. 900a-400p.
  • Vernon:  10 Pitkin Road. November 23 and 24. 900a-400p
  • South Windsor:  1739 Ellington Road. November 16, 17. 900a-300p.
  • South Windsor:  965 Sullivan Ave. November 16, 17. 900a-300p (Geisslers)
  • Windsor:  Was held November 2, 3, 9 and 10.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 15

Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.MANCHESTER and HARTFORD — Aetna Ambulance and ASM send Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients who have received emergency or STAT inter-facility services from our companies.

The final question in the survey asks “Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service?” And, “Please use one word to describe us.”

Some of the answers/responses included:

  • Professional. They did a great job.
  • Caring x 3.
  • Excellent x 6.
  • Great x 2.
  • EMTs were friendly, pleasant, professional, and handled me with skill and confidence.
  • Great!
  • Great. They were great considering I was forced to go by the police.
  • Very professional.
  • Kudos to C. Haag and A. Fine on their care, their respect and overall performance. (13-87969).
  • Professional and efficient.
  • Wonderful service.
  • Quick, professional. Nice job!
  • Dependable.
  • Reassuring, comforting, professional.
  • Good job.
  • Very prompt.
  • Perfect.
  • Very professional. Was made to feel at ease.
  • Compassionate.
  • Competent and Caring. Once I was in the ambulance under a great deal of stress, the medic who rode with me made me feel comfortable and relaxed.
  • Very professional.
  • Competent.
  • Prompt/Professional. I thought I might not make it that night and I appreciated your medical knowledge and helping me through a scary and difficult time.

Early EKG Transmission Device Resurfaces

MANCHESTER — An early communication device, used during the days when ASM was known as Manchester Ambulance, was brought out as a prop for a recent retirement party.

Shown here, the phone and EKG transmission device shows just how far technology has come but reminds us that transmitting EKGs to hospital is not a new idea. Aetna and ASM operate technology to wirelessly transmit 12 lead EKGs to a terminal in area emergency departments as well as they smartphones of the interventionalist and cardiologist.

Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1″: Volume 9

MANCHESTER — Additions and renovations to the Ambulance Service of Manchester’s main headquarters, known to employees as “10-1,” continue. As of this writing:

  • Drop ceiling has been added in the entire new space except for the ancillary training room where the walls will extend to the deck/roof.
  • The main restrooms are nearly complete with fixtures, stalls, flooring and cabinetry in place.
  • Painting of walls and trim and staining of doors has been completed.
  • Utility room floors have been sealed.

The next steps are to complete and open for service the main restrooms so that demolition can move to the oldest restrooms and the old side entrance hallway, complete flooring, activate HVAC systems and begin phase two of demolition and construction.

The addition and renovation are part of ASM’s continued commitment and investment in the towns it serves.

Aetna’s Preston Ryzak Visits Cherry Brook Primary School

Note: Aetna Ambulance does NOT provide emergency services to the Town of Canton. Always dial 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.

CANTON — On October 27, 2013 Aetna’s Preston Ryzak visited Canton’s Cherry Brook Primary School, specifically Mrs. Lippincott’s class, to show the students an ambulance, up close and personal.

School visits serve to increase children’s awareness of Emergency Medical Services, when to call 911, what Paramedics and EMTs do to help people and why serving the community is important.

Aetna Ambulance Visits Glastonbury’s Goddard School

Goddard School 3Aetna Ambulance does NOT serve the Town of Glastonbury for primary emergency medical services. In an emergency, always dial 9-1-1. 

GLASTONBURY — On October 23, 2013 Aetna’s Trisha Webster and Matthew Carter visited Goddard School on Eastern Boulevard in Glastonbury, CT to perform a show-and-tell for the three and four year-old children who attend Pre-K at the school.

Trisha and Matt talked about calling 9-1-1 and not being afraid of EMS, Police or Fire Personnel when they arrive to help. They had them go through the ambulance with the help of a Caillou doll to demonstrate the experience.  Lots of questions and some stories from the children followed.