Six John Jay High School students are giving back to the community in a unique and meaningful way, by volunteering three to six hours per week to the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps (LVAC).
These students have each received an education in CPR and first aid as well as twelve hours of training, and participate in weekly drills.
Some of these young volunteers are relatively new to the corps, while others have been members for years. Julia Zuckerberg, now a senior, joined two and a half years ago. Since her father is the medical director, Julia has had exposure to the organization for a long while. She describes the LVAC environment as “warm and caring.” Her main duties, as a junior volunteer, are to calm patients and to help to put them at ease. Although intending to pursue an art degree, Julia feels that the training she’s received will always be helpful. In addition to her volunteer work, Julia serves as president and an editor of “Reflections.”
Jesse Musich, a junior, has been with the corps for four months. Her mother is an LVAC driver, so she too has been exposed to the corps for some time. Jesse, who has a love for science, always wanted to be a member of LVAC because she recognizes the importance of helping the community. She intends to study biology in college and plans to seek employment in the medical field. Jesse hasn’t been out on a call yet, but she’s willing and ready. Besides her corps involvement, she is also the president of “Invisible Children,” a JJHS organization that advocates for child soldiers in Uganda.
Senior Daniel Fulop has been involved with the LVAC for two years. In the past, he experienced personal accidents that required hospitalization. He was assisted by EMTs and now wishes to “give back.” He’s been on several calls, and finds the experience to be both exciting and rewarding. Daniel is the speaker of the Campus Congress, works on Senator Bell’s advisory council, and is involved in numerous other activities.
An LVAC member for four months, junior Russell Ohnemus is following in his father’s footsteps. He’s always been interested in volunteering, but it is a requirement that members be at least sixteen years of age. He’s just completed his training and has been out on two calls. Russell is a member of the JJHS stage crew and the Ultimate Frisbee Team.
Steven Olson, also a junior, is relatively new to the corps. He’s participated for four months and is ready for a call. He believes the corps to be “a great opportunity to incorporate my interests with volunteering.” Steven plans to enter the medical field after college and is currently a member of the JJHS Varsity Soccer Team.
Andrew Marderstein, a senior, has been with the corps for one year. He saw the opportunity as a way in which he “could explore interests and look into the medical field.” Since becoming involved, he has decided to study biology in college and eventually attend medical school. As an LVAC volunteer, one of his main responsibilities is to calm patients. Usually, the crew chief deals more with the first aid aspects and there’s a separate medic and driver. However, as with his fellow junior corps members, Andrew has been fully trained in many areas. In addition to the work with LVAC, Andrew is a three-season JJHS athlete, participating in baseball, skiing, and cross-country.
Each student expects to continue to volunteer after graduation.
According to Bob Stoddard, LVAC Captain, the students are “a great, bright group” that make a solid contribution. In fact, “the more they do, the more they get out of it.” The students, as well as Captain Stoddard, encourage the community to attend LVAC’s Annual Auction on Saturday, November 3 at Waccabuc Country Club. While the popular Silent and Live Auctions remain, LVAC has added a Casino Night as well as an Antiques Appraisal feature. All auction proceeds go directly to LVAC, allowing the corps to cover operating expenses. “Since the Corps does not receive any local, state or federal funds to operate, and we never charge for our service, the always generous support of the community is needed and truly appreciated,” states LVAC President Jim Reilly. For more information concerning this event, as well as general information about the corps, contact LVAC at LewisboroVAC@aol.com and visit the website at http://www.lewisborovac.org.
