Clark Elementary School Raises Funds For Local EMS Squad

CLARK, NJ — Valley Road Elementary School recently held its annual "Hats On Day" to raise money for the Clark Volunteer Emergency Squad.

The event has been held for about 10 years at the elementary school, except for last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Students and staff were invited to wear a hat to school this past April and make a donation to the EMS squad.

Donations were not mandatory, but Valley Road teacher Lorraine Haney said the school community was very thoughtful and generous this year.

Haney was in charge of organizer the fundraiser, and her daughter, Erin, is a former member of the squad. Since completing her education, Erin is still an EMT and is the Safety Supervisor at Infinium in Linden.

This year's event collected over $600, according to a press release, which was all donated to the squad.

Presenting the check to Susan Alacchi of the Squad were Principal Joseph Beltramba, Valley Road PTA President Darlene Alicea, Lorraine Haney and students Elisa Perez and Alek Velovic.

The Clark Volunteer Emergency Squad will soon be celebrating its 81st anniversary of serving the Clark community.

"As always, we depend on the financial generosity of the public since we do not charge for our services," the squad wrote in a statement.

Some of the areas the squad is currently targeting as priorities for funding include:

• specialized equipment for pediatric patients
• trauma management
• continual education for members in defibrillation, pre-hospital trauma and pediatric emergencies

The squad said it will also use donations to ensure that the ambulances are in the best condition possible, as well as the squad house.