Grant Will Help Emergency Services Provider Train Future Professional EMTs
CLAYTON — The Cary and Janet Brick Riverside Foundation, a Northern New York Community Foundation affiliate, recently provided support to the Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service for its ongoing EMT educational program.
The $1,000 grant will help TIERS train future professional emergency medical technicians. The nonprofit organization delivers 24-hour emergency medical services to the St. Lawrence River communities in the towns of Clayton and Orleans. The grant was made, in part, to help enhance the expansion of EMT training for younger first-responders and new recruits.
Established in 2017, the Brick Riverside Foundation is a geographic-specific charitable foundation that provides support for St. Lawrence River-area programs and institutions to enhance the quality of life in the Thousand Islands region. It is designed to have broad impact in perpetuity.
The Brick Riverside Foundation gift to support TIERS is the latest from a Northern New York Community Foundation-affiliated fund.
“TIERS is the primary emergency medical service provider for permanent and seasonal residents of the Thousand Islands,” Mr. and Mrs. Brick said in making the grant. “Through its training program for young people, it is moving forward aggressively to establish the next generation of trained EMTs. Its dynamic board, led by Bud Baril, and its team of professionals are thoughtfully and strategically looking ahead to continue services in the Thousand Islands region in the years to come.”
The Bricks challenged local businesses and seasonal residents from more populated areas accustomed to larger-scale emergency services to match the grant and help establish an immediate $10,000 training budget to aid the next generation of TIERS professionals.
“We know the year-round residents who depend on TIERS are already supportive, and we hope they will offer additional contributions for the training program.” Mr. and Mrs. Brick said.
Before establishing the Brick Riverside Foundation, the Bricks provided TIERS similar support to purchase individual lifesaving equipment for emergency personnel traveling to islands aboard the Clayton Fire Department’s fire and rescue boat, the Last Chance. Mr. Brick served as a fire commissioner and Mrs. Brick was Clayton Town and Village justice. Last year, the Brick Riverside Foundation awarded a grant to support River Hospital’s emergency room expansion and its Hope + Healing campaign.
“As the 1000 Islands region continues to grow as a destination resort, availability of first-class medical services is vital to sustain the local economy,” Mr. and Mrs. Brick said.
The Community Foundation has a long history of supporting health care in Northern New York and made a grant in support of TIERS recent capital campaign. The organization also established a permanent endowment fund with the Community Foundation to help sustain its work and mission for future generations. To help support TIERS, gifts to its endowment fund may be made at www.nnycf.org, or by mail to the Northern New York Community Foundation, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.
“By combining forces with donors who feel strongly about supporting TIERS, we can help maximize the impact,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “Our affiliation with the Bricks for TIERS and other River area endeavors creates a multiplier effect that is powerful.”
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.