ELDRED, NY — The Highland Lions Club recently orchestrated the donation of sanitizing equipment for the ambulances utilized by the American Legion Ambulance Service in Eldred. 

The local group had set out to procure the equipment as a local service project when it was discovered that the Lions International Group had the same mission in mind. Through their collaboration, they were able to provide an electrostatic sprayer, valued at $1,300, to the local group. 

Highland Lions president Kathy Daboul, in making the presentation, cited a recent call experience when the volunteer EMTs and drivers returned to quarters at 3 a.m. and then began a two-hour process of disinfecting the ambulance and all of the equipment that had been subject to contamination before the volunteers could return to their homes at 5 a.m. 

The new equipment will cut the process to less than 10 minutes. 

This sprayer is the same type of equipment being used to sanitize subway cars and busses in New York City. 

In making the application for the donation, the American Legion Ambulance Service noted that, during the time spent disinfecting, the emergency rig is out-of-service and unable to respond to calls in the active river and rafting community and busy Route 97 as well as the general community. 

Following the presentation, the members received instruction from ambulance captain Tony LaRuffa regarding the use of the new sprayer. 

The Highland Lions currently has a roster of 60, of whom 25 are active members. Many of the active Lions also serve the community through the ambulance service.

In addition to contributions such as the sprayer, among its other endeavors, the Lions provides scholarships to graduating seniors of the Eldred school district. Long known for the collection of used eyeglasses, the Lions have also taken up the collection of clean, empty pill bottles for use in third world countries. Daboul said that in those areas of the world, pills are more than likely to be dispensed into the patients’ hands, and that reused containers will provide a more efficient and sanitary way to do so. Pill containers can be dropped off at the same locations as eyeglasses are collected. 

The Lions also respond to local needs through dispensing of emergency funds. 

The group looks forward to getting back to its normal routine of monthly dinner meetings on the first Friday of every month. In the meantime, meetings are being conducted via Zoom. 

Joining with the Highland Lions, there are also active chapters in Lumberland and Shohola, PA.