CATO - The Cato-Ira-Meridian-Victory Ambulance Corps answers about 500 calls every year, covering an area of more than 100 square miles for those in need of emergency medical attention.
Needless to say this puts a lot of miles on their ambulances.
Recently the corps took possession of a new 2009 Trauma Hawk model ambulance, replacing a vehicle that had been in service for about 10 years.
“We usually replace our vehicles about every 10 years,” Jim Perfield, vice president of CIMVAC, said. “We got it about two weeks, replacing an older one. We have two ambulances at all times. We cover a big area of northern Cayuga County.”
While CIMVAC has paid staff, it is also dependent on the help of volunteers on nights and weekends, as well as the donations from the community to help maintain their efforts and services.
It was largely through donations that CIMVAC was able to purchase the new vehicle.
And to help offset those costs CIMVAC hosted its second annual chicken barbecue Saturday at the corps headquarters on Main Street in Cato. Perfield said that last year's fundraiser was fairly successful.
“This is the only fundraiser we have,” Perfield said. “It went reasonably well last year and we are hoping it will go even better this year.”
Bright and early Saturday morning the coals were fired up on the barbecue pit, which was on loan form the Meridian Fire Department and the sweet smell of roasting chicken and salt potatoes was wafting through the village.
But this year CIMVAC decided to add something more to the festivities.
In addition to the food, CIMVAC headquarters also played host to a craft fair. A half dozen local crafters offered things like needlework, blankets, baked goods and jewelry.
“We just wanted to add something to what we were doing.” Perfield said. “We wanted to do something to maybe help boost attendance and draw a few more people here.”
Many of the village's residents were drawn to stop by CIMVAC for the food and for the crafts, but also as a way of giving a little something back to the corps.
Residents like Ester Post of Cato recognize just how valuable the services of CIMVAC are to the people of northern Cayuga County.
And the food helped, too.
“We all appreciate the ambulance,” Post said. “We're glad it is here and we are happy they are here and doing what they do. And the chicken barbecue, the food is excellent and it is a good cause. So I had to stop and make sure I got some chicken barbecue.”
Recently the corps took possession of a new 2009 Trauma Hawk model ambulance, replacing a vehicle that had been in service for about 10 years.
“We usually replace our vehicles about every 10 years,” Jim Perfield, vice president of CIMVAC, said. “We got it about two weeks, replacing an older one. We have two ambulances at all times. We cover a big area of northern Cayuga County.”
While CIMVAC has paid staff, it is also dependent on the help of volunteers on nights and weekends, as well as the donations from the community to help maintain their efforts and services.
It was largely through donations that CIMVAC was able to purchase the new vehicle.
And to help offset those costs CIMVAC hosted its second annual chicken barbecue Saturday at the corps headquarters on Main Street in Cato. Perfield said that last year's fundraiser was fairly successful.
“This is the only fundraiser we have,” Perfield said. “It went reasonably well last year and we are hoping it will go even better this year.”
Bright and early Saturday morning the coals were fired up on the barbecue pit, which was on loan form the Meridian Fire Department and the sweet smell of roasting chicken and salt potatoes was wafting through the village.
But this year CIMVAC decided to add something more to the festivities.
In addition to the food, CIMVAC headquarters also played host to a craft fair. A half dozen local crafters offered things like needlework, blankets, baked goods and jewelry.
“We just wanted to add something to what we were doing.” Perfield said. “We wanted to do something to maybe help boost attendance and draw a few more people here.”
Many of the village's residents were drawn to stop by CIMVAC for the food and for the crafts, but also as a way of giving a little something back to the corps.
Residents like Ester Post of Cato recognize just how valuable the services of CIMVAC are to the people of northern Cayuga County.
And the food helped, too.
“We all appreciate the ambulance,” Post said. “We're glad it is here and we are happy they are here and doing what they do. And the chicken barbecue, the food is excellent and it is a good cause. So I had to stop and make sure I got some chicken barbecue.”
