June 15, 2004 – The Rotary Club of Charlotte Amalie presented a check for $20,000 to Health Commissioner Darlene Carty on Tuesday night to help pay for a new ambulance for St. Thomas.
The balance of the money for the $50,000 emergency response vehicle has been identified, Carty told the Rotarians, expressing her appreciation to the organization for partnering with the Health Department in making it possible to provide services to the community at a time "when funds are tight in the government."
The rest of the cost will be covered by proceeds from the 2003 Gross Receipts Revenue Bonds that the Public Finance Authority has earmarked "for the purchase of emergency medical transportation, "she said.
In her prepared remarks at the Rotary club's weekly dinner meeting, Carty characterized the St. Thomas fleet of emergency vehicles as operating "in a skeletal manner." The partnership between Rotary and Health is an example "of the proactive stance the department has taken to ensure that the health care needs of the community are met," she said.
A Rotary International logo will be affixed to the side of the new ambulance, which is to be based at Roy L. Schneider Hospital.
Carty also said a new partnership is being worked out with the V.I. Fire Service to have an ambulance based at the Tutu fire station. "Soon ambulances will be stationed at the fire stations across the territory," she said. "We may use that new ambulance at the Tutu fire station."
An enlarged replica of the $20,000 check was presented to Carty by Ellen Murraine, Rotary Club of Charlotte Amalie president.
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