Weston EMS gets Broadway stars to help raise needed money
WESTON — The town’s emergency medical services is getting some help from Broadway stars to raise some needed funds and celebrate its 60th anniversary of serving the area.
Weston EMS, a volunteer service, is hosting its first ever gala on March 25 at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton, with two-time Tony awardwinning director and longtime Weston resident James Naughton serving as the master of ceremonies and honorary cochair, alongside First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor.
“This is our 60th anniversary and we wanted to celebrate our members how far we have come as an organization and ask the community to join and help to fund our need,” said Adria Belport, Weston EMS’ gala chair.
Dan Micciche, music director of Broadway’s “Wicked,” will accompany other Broadway stars Dan Riddle, Erin LeCroy, Dee Rosciolo and John Riddle on the piano in a 45-minute performance.
Belport said there will be a VIP cocktail reception with a meet and greet with Naughton, as well as a general cocktail reception. Guests will also be able to buy raffle tickets or bid on the silent auction where gift cards from various Fairfield County restaurants and art from local artists is available.
This is the first time an event like this is being held for Weston EMS, Belport said. Tickets for the event are sold out but people can still donate by texting “DONATE” 203424-2180 or visit westonems.com.
People, even those not going, can also enter the
raffle and silent auction are live and can be accessed online at virtualgala.events/westonEMS. Proceeds will go towards life-saving equipment, such as defibrillators, which cost up to $2,500 each, Belport said. Both the auction and raffle close at 8 p.m. on March 25.
Weston EMS serves mutual aid to surrounding communities, including Westport, Wilton, Fairfield, Redding, Norwalk, Easton and Georgetown.
They are hoping to raise $100,000 to continue to “provide the highest level of emergency care services with state of the art equipment, free of charge,” a media release said.
Proceeds will also go toward new gurneys with lifts for their two ambulances, which periodically need to be replaced, training new EMTs and purchasing equipment that delivers uninterrupted, automatic chest compressions during CPR.
She said those compression units cost $20,000 each and must be replaced every eight to 10 years. Their units are seven years old.
“We must start raising funds for a new ambulance which we will need in the next few years which will cost $350,000,” Belport said.
Belport also said the event will honor the leadership change. Jon Weingarten stepped down as president on Jan. 1 after serving 26 years in that position and 44 years as a member. Alycia Angus now leads Weston EMS.
“Most Weston EMS volunteers also have fulltime jobs as lawyers, teachers, business owners and consultants, contractors and more,” she said.
On top of that, they are required to be on active duty for 400 hours per year, go to monthly meetings and drills, volunteer to maintain their equipment and ambulances and order supplies, Belport said.
Weston EMS has been a volunteer organization for 60 years and wants to continue its mission of “neighbors helping neighbors” but Belport said it needs the support of the community to do so.
“Weston EMS has come a long way since our early days as ‘The Weston First Aid Squad’ with a station wagon serving as an ambulance,” Angus said. “Our success has been built on the dedication of our members.”
She said all of the EMT volunteers are state-certified and live in town.
“We are a vital resource for Weston providing essential support to those in need during times of crisis,” she added. “We rely on the generosity of our donors and supporters to continue to provide these critical services.”