3M supports Lifesavers campaign with grant

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BROOKINGS – Brookings Health System Foundation recently received a $25,000 3M grant from the 3M Capital Investments 2018 program in support of the new Ambulance Station and Education Center currently being constructed along Yorkshire Drive. 

The foundation was nominated by 3M Brookings. 3M established this grant to support U.S. site nonprofit partners with significant projects to build, upgrade or repair facilities for their operations and/or programs. Priority is given to organizations that support 3Mgives strategies in the areas of STEM or business education, environmental programs, basic needs in the community, youth development or access to arts for underserved communities.

“We’re grateful to 3M Foundation and 3M Brookings for their continued support,” Foundation Director Sara Schneider said. “Their contribution puts us closer to our fundraising goal for the Ambulance Station and Education Center.”

To help build the new Ambulance Station and Education Center, Brookings Health System Foundation launched the Support Our Lifesavers capital fundraising campaign in September. The foundation’s overall goal is to raise $200,000 to help offset 20 percent of the total building cost. 

Schneider emphasizes there is still time for community members to contribute and help reach the foundation’s goal.

“As individuals and businesses consider year-end giving, we’d like them to also think about the important role emergency medical services play in our community,” Schneider said. “Supporting the Ambulance Station and Education Center not only gives our ambulance service a much-needed operational headquarters, but also increases team efficiency and response times which means everything in a medical emergency.”

The new station location is strategically placed to service the majority of call volume for both the city and county while maintaining strong access to respond to other advanced life support calls throughout the local area. It also places the ambulance service in close proximity to Brookings Hospital and the ER. When completed later this winter, it will house all four advanced life support vehicles, the mass casualty vehicle and the mobile first-aid station trailer under the same roof as staff offices and living quarters. 

The new station will also enable the ambulance service to attend to the growing needs of the community. In 2017, Brookings Health System’s ambulance service made over 2,285 calls, a 40 percent increase in call volume since 2009. 

Community members or businesses interested in giving to the Support Our Lifesavers campaign may donate online at www.brookingshealth.org/SupportOurLifesavers or may contact Schneider directly at 696-8855 or email foundation@brookingshealth.org.