Hinsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service Raises Funds At Annual Pie Auction

Taking a break from providing palliative care, the Hinsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service was at Milk River Days to provide some palate care. Loading up a table or two at the park on July 4th with approximately 30 pies and baked goods, including a multigrain bread, the group hosted their annual pie auction to raise much-needed funds for the Hinsdale emergency medical service. This year's auction also featured a brightly-colored homemade quilt donated by Joy See.

The Hinsdale ambulance falls under the umbrella of Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital and as such does receive financial support from the organization, but Hinsdale EMTs there feel a drive to go above and beyond for their friends and neighbors. And so, these dedicated volunteers have continued the pie auction, started by Jean Dreikosen roughly 16 years ago, as a way to provide funding for EMT classes and further training and equipment, both new and upgrades.

"The people that support us are the community members and those with ties to the community," said EMT Dorothy "Dot" Jensen, of the symbiotic relationship between community and volunteers. She singled out Dr. Andy Fahlgren, and John and Mary Fahlgren for their generosity, which she and fellow EMT Jamie Mix credited in part to the Fahlgren family's ties to Hinsdale.

The volunteer crew spends perhaps more hours in training and in classes than they'd like to count, but the joy they feel in serving their community is evident. "It's all about community," Mix told the Courier. "And people who see the need."

The crew is also actively applying for grants for a new 2S ambulance, while continuing training and recruiting new members to their team. "All in the name of volunteering," laughed Jensen.

Members of the Hinsdale ambulance crew extend a special thank you to Linda Lacock for handling the money and paperwork, Larry Ross Simpson for auctioneering the event and his daughter, Laynee Simpson for helping showcase the delectable delights.