Southwest Webster Ambulance to host fundraiser
Money will go toward equipment upgrades
GOWRIE — The grills are all set to be fired up as the Southwest Webster Emergency Medical Service prepares for its annual fundraiser.
The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 21 at the Heartland Community Room, located at 1201 Market St. in Gowrie.
Mike Temple, director of Southwest Webster EMS, said people are welcome to come down and enjoy a meal at the fundraiser.
“We will be having a hamburger and steak sandwich meal with baked beans and a dessert, side and drink,” Temple said. “The Webster County Cattlemen’s Association will be grilling steaks and hamburgers for us.”
There is no entry fee, but he said that freewill donations will be accepted.
All money generated by the fundraiser goes toward equipment upgrades and purchases.
This year, the ambulance service has one specific item it would like to buy.
“We’re looking to get a new Stryker power load system for our ambulance,” he said, adding that the system can cost anywhere from $35,000 to $40,000.
It’ll provide “long-term viability of lifting patients and preventing injuries from crew members from lifting.”
Other area agencies, including the Fort Dodge Fire Department, are equipped with Stryker load systems.
“They just got all their ambulances outfitted with them,” Temple said.
The service’s annual fundraiser has proven very successful over the years.
“It’s usually towards pieces of equipment that we want to go after or need replacement,” he said.
Last year the department used funds to purchase a stair chair. Thanks to a local family’s donation, Temple said the department was able to obtain two of them.
“Both were set up at the same time,” he said. “So it doesn’t matter which ambulance you take — you have the same equipment.”