Foundation Announces Community Wide Campaign

$175,000 Goal for New Brookings Health System Ambulance

Brookings Health System Foundation announced today a community-wide campaign to raise $175,000 for a new ambulance.  

“Our annual fundraiser held August 14 raised over $18,100,” said Foundation Development Officer Barb Anderson. “In addition, Howalt McDowell Insurance and AAA Collections, Inc. contributed lead donations bringing the total raised to over $28,000.” 

A new Type III ambulance at Brookings Health System is needed to replace an older Type III as part of a fleet of five offering the only Advanced Life Support (ALS) service in Brookings County. The new ambulance will be built and stocked as an ALS unit and will serve as the primary 911 response unit.

According to Anderson, in many communities, ambulances are funded by city budgets and when they need a new ambulance they sometimes enact the second penny tax or use other tax revenue. “Brookings doesn’t do that, so the Foundation is reaching out to the area community for support,” she added.

Brookings Health System Ambulance serves Brookings and the surrounding area.  Volga, Bruce and Aurora each have a city-funded volunteer fire department with first responders but no ambulance.  Brookings Health System Ambulance responds to 911 calls in these communities and serves as fire standby when requested.

White, Arlington and Elkton each have a city-funded volunteer Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance.  Brookings Health System Ambulance joins the BLS ambulance in these communities when ALS or a second ambulance is needed, or when BLS crews are short-handed.

“Our total call volume continues to grow with a 14% increase from 2009 to 2013,” said Ambulance Director Gordon Dekkenga.

The community may contribute to the ambulance campaign by text (605) 646-4661, online at www.brookingshealth.org/foundation, or by using a donation envelope arriving at 16,000 Brookings area homes with the September issue of Brookings Health System’s Inspiring Health newsletter. The campaign will continue through September.

“We ask area households to support the ambulance campaign similar to buying a ticket to a fireman’s dance,” said Anderson. “If every home gives $10 we will make our goal.”

For more information about Brookings Health System Foundation please contact Foundation Officer Barb Anderson at (605) 696-8855 or foundation@brookingshealth.org.

About Brookings Health System Foundation

The mission of Brookings Health System Foundation is to inspire people to support Brookings Health System through philanthropy, recognizing the vital role of local healthcare in sustaining quality of life in our community. Gifts to the Foundation support charity health care for those less fortunate, health and wellness education, facility, equipment, and technology upgrades and other needs as they arise at Brookings Health System. For more information about Brookings Health System Foundation or how you may contribute, please contact Foundation Officer Barb Anderson at (605) 696-8855 or foundation@brookingshealth.org.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, and Brookhaven Estates apartments. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock medical-nursing care for patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.