So when the Tupper Lake Volunteer Ambulance and Emergency Squad put out a call for community support to help cover the costs for a new ambulance, the generosity came quickly. Last week, the Tupper Lake Rotary Club proudly handed over a check for $25,000. This was a dollar-for-dollar match for community members who had individually donated and noted the Rotary Club in the memo line.

This comes in addition to a Jan. 15 community match from the Lions Club for $10,000 — and the club is hoping to make another $10,000 community match in the future. To do that, individual donors should write “Lions Club” on the memo line.

All told, it’s shaping up to be a herculean effort between the community and the two clubs. So far, it has put the donations to $225,000 of the $400,000 new ambulance total, according to rescue squad Chief Nicole Rice. The ambulance is expected to arrive later this year, and donations will continue to be accepted up until payment is due in full, at which point the rescue squad will have to take a loan to cover the remainder.

“Any donation will help with anything we do,” Rice said. “We’re always having to purchase new equipment.”

The Tupper Lake Rotary Club presents its $25,000 donation, matching another $25,000 from community members, to the Tupper Lake volunteer rescue squad to help with the purchase of its new ambulance. From left, Tupper Lake Rotary Club President Rickey Dattola, rescue squad President Nicole Rice and rescue squad board members Josh Clement and Carson Maroun. (Provided photo — Tupper Lake Volunteer Ambulance and Emergency Squad)

Rice said the rescue squad was immensely grateful for the community support received so far. Rotary Club Treasurer Kathleen Lefebvre said that so many community members have themselves or had family members rely on EMS, and are lucky to have such a dedicated set of community members who serve the rescue squad, both as volunteers and paid members.

“We did this because, especially with communities here in the North Country, a lot of things get done here through volunteerism,” Lefebvre said. “When they need something, then we figured we’d better jump in and see what we can do to help them get that, since they’re volunteering their time and talent.”

In addition to serving the town and village of Tupper Lake, the rescue squad also contracts for the surrounding towns of Santa Clara and Piercefield. The combined area is home to approximately 6,000 full-time residents and hosts a swell of seasonal visitors. Busy summers include taking calls at the Fish Creek Campground, which has 355 campsites and hosts thousands of campers throughout the summer months.

“They give up a lot, they’re just always giving of themselves and it is so essential that we have them,” Lefebvre said. “I can’t imagine not having them. It’s peace of mind knowing that if you have a life-threatening issue, that you have them — and that they will be there very quickly, very quickly.”

Tupper Lake EMS is currently accepting donations by mail to P.O. Box 901, Tupper Lake, NY 12986. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations are tax-deductible.