Hatzoloh of Rockland Salutes Its Volunteers During Member Appreciation Melava Malka

by M.C. Millman

 

Hatzoloh of Rockland held its annual member appreciation melava malka on Motzei Shabbos, February 25, showing its hakaras hatov to the hundreds of every-day Hatzoloh heroes.

 

More than two hundred volunteers and their wives arrived to experience the inspirational program, with exciting entertainment, at the Atrium Ballroom.

 

Several gifts of appreciation were presented to Hatzoloh paramedics, EMT's, service units, and dispatchers, as well as gifts earmarked for their wives. Among the major sponsors of these gifts were the Friedwald Center, Monsey Urgent Care, The Ridge, Achieve Behavioral Health, Toys4u, Urgent Restoration, and Goosetown Communications.

 

Others who helped sponsor the evening included Monsey Glatt, Golden Taste, Chefs Kingdom, Wine on 59, and Yossi's Cuts.

 

The event is one that is essential in its demonstration of hakaras hatov expressed, not only to the volunteers who drop everything at the drop of a hat but to their wives as well, who are left holding the bag, time and time again, on any day and during any occasion.

 

The evening allows the wives to bask in the aura of appreciation surrounding their husbands for their efforts to save lives with their altruistic actions.

 

"We include the wives during this annual event," Rabbi Yosef C. Golding, executive director of Hatzoloh of Rockland, shares with Rockland Daily, "because the wives are also heroes, allowing their husbands to run out 24/7, 365 days a year, including Shabbos, Yom Tov, in the middle of the Pesach Seder, Yom Kippur, etc. Their dedication and support to the cause of saving lives allow Hatzoloh to breathe life into our community."

 

Recognition was given to several local political leaders, most notably Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht, his family, and his chief-of-staff, as well as to David Wanounou, Phil Soskin, Joel Friedman, Aron B. Wieder, and Yehuda Weissmandl.

"My wife, Karen, and I were honored to join in Hatzoloh's melava malka and member appreciation event this weekend.," Supervisor Specht shares with Rockland Daily. "We are proud to have such a wonderful organization based in our Town, and we were very impressed by the dedication of all the volunteers who give so much of their time and effort to help the entire community. We are proud of the Town's  partnership with Hatzoloh, and we look forward to its continued growth and success."

 

"The Hatzoloh member appreciation melava malka was an evening that offered a meaningful salute to Hatzoloh's daily heroics," Legislator Aron Wieder tells Rockland Daily. "Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder shares with Rockland Daily. "Being a part of the night to express my admiration and hakaras hatov to this worthy organization that is the very heartbeat of Rockland was a pleasure and an honor."

Rockland County appreciates the volunteers from KJ Hatzalah and New Square Hatzoloh who came in to cover Hatzoloh of Rockland ambulances during the evening so that all of Hatzoloh's volunteers could enjoy the evening free from local emergency calls for the night.