(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bob Milbrodt for the information in this story.)
Roger Simpson, president of Helping Area Response Teams (HART), and Jim Brady, a member of HART’s board, joined Chelsea Kiwanis last Monday to talk about the organization.
Support for police officers, firefighters, and ambulance crews while on a call used to be provided by the Red Cross, but when their staffing decreased, the opportunity for replacing that service arose.
In 2014, Roger Simpson, then vice president of Huron Valley Ambulance, was asked to help. He was able to get HVA to donate their retired ambulance, a 2009 with 250,000 miles on it. Working with Peace Lutheran Church as a headquarters and source of volunteers, HART began its mission in 2015 with no funding, relying on generous restaurants and volunteers. For example, Zingermans provides their coffee.
Now a 501-C3 non-profit, HART answers about 30 calls a year with an average of 5 volunteers per call. They provide drinks and meals for the first responders, iced towels, misting fans, and shade canopies in the summer. In winter, hot drinks, hand warmers, portable heaters, an inflatable tent, and a device to warm gloves are available.
HART also is able to help residents in need at the call with clothing, personal hygiene kits, blankets and pet supplies.
Monday, club members will not meet at the hospital, but will have their annual cookout, a social event for members, spouses, and friends.
Normally, Chelsea Kiwanis meets each Monday at 6:15 p.m. in the St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital cafeteria, and the speakers begin at about 6:45 p.m.
Everyone is invited to the club’s meetings to enjoy our speakers and learn about Kiwanis.
Go to www.kiwanisclubofchelsea.org for more information.
