Shoppers buy in to help ambo service

By Tania Martin
EMERALD’S Ambulance Auxiliary has plenty of reasons to thank the local community.
Since joining Ritchie’s IGA Community Chest program more than 12 years ago, the unit has received $110,000 through local contributions.
The Community Chest scheme donates one per cent of customers’ bills towards the charity of their choice.
All customers have to do is fill in a form to join and say what they want to donate to.
Then each time a customer shops at Ritchie’s IGA they swipe their benefit card or key-chain and the proceeds will go towards their charity. The money has gone towards providing paramedics with new equipment for training and amenities.
Auxiliary president and Cardinia Shire councillor Graeme Legge said the program had been a very useful and practical contribution for the service.
He said it also showed the goodwill between the ambulance service and the community.
“It shows they really appreciate the service… it helps support the branch and team here,” Cr Legge said.
The money has been spent on a number of items over the years including a treadmill.
Cr Legge said this was a great way for paramedics to unwind after being confronted with a traumas or accidents.
He said the cash had also gone towards purchasing some comfortable chairs and a television for the station house.
“It’s used for training but also has a recreational benefit,” Cr Legge said.
Before joining the program, the auxiliary had to resort to good old fashioned sausage sizzles to raise cash for the unit.
Cr Legge said it costs more than $10,000 a year to run the unit and the money from the Community Chest usually covers that.
“It’s a good way for the community to put back into the service,” he said.