Dayton Toyota Celebrates Re-Opening with $5k Donation to First Aid Squad

With an ongoing effort to pay for recent renovations to their facility on New Road, the Kendall Park First Aid and Rescue Squad received a helping hand from a local business earlier this month.

Dayton Toyota celebrated its grand re-opening by making a $5,000 donation to the squad, which is running a capital campaign to help pay for the estimated $250,000 renovations to the New Road facility. The renovations included a roof replacement due to leaking that regularly flooded the ambulance bay, reconfigured bay doors allowing larger vehicles to fit inside, a small room to allow for cots so volunteers can sleep when serving during overnight hours and emergencies, and modern bathrooms with a shower so volunteers can reduce risk when exposed to blood borne pathogens.

"One of our dealership goals is to give back to the community that has supported us over the last 50 plus years," said Dayton Toyota President David Nappa. "We give back to many local organizations throughout the year. In addition, once a year we try to make a major contribution to one deserving organization.  Recent recipients included the South Brunswick Police Department Officer Training Fund, South Brunswick Food Pantry and South Brunswick Commission on Women.

"This year we chose the Kendall Park First Aid Squad because of the incredible volunteer work that they do for our community and because they needed help to repay a mortgage loan to renovate their own facility. Since we were renovating our Dayton Toyota facility, we thought the timing was perfect."

The renovations at Dayton Toyota included a new car wash, an upgraded customer lounge with new leather furniture, snack and and beverage selections, upgraded WiFi and free computer terminals, a quiet lounge, and a revamped child's play area with new toys and flat screen televisions playing the Disney Channel.

The donation to KPFARS has given to the rescue squad in 2013 alone. 

"The generous 'Lifesaver' donation that Dayton Toyota provided to the KPFARS is an example of a local business supporting a local volunteer organization," said Rich Goselin, of the Kendall Park squad. "In appreciation, the members of the KPFARS presented to Mr. Dave Nappa and Dayton Toyota a plaque recognizing them for the 'Lifesaver' contribution."

As helpful as the donation was, the squad still needs help from the public. Township first aid squads rely on drives each year from residents to fund the operating costs, while the township also donates $45,000 to each squad. However, the astronomical expenses for insurance, supplies and maintenance for the ambulances means donations are always in desperate need. 

The average cost for an emergency requiring Basic Life Support runs $700, while the cost for Advanced Life Support runs $1,400. 

Cash donations to any of the squads are 100 percent tax deductible as a registered non-profit organization. Donations can be sent to Kendall park First Aid & Rescue Squad, PO Box 5097, 121 New Road, Kendall Park, NJ 08824.  

For information on how to donate or volunteer for the squad click here.