4-18-2024 4:18am

Heroes on the Green: "Making Drives and Saving Lives"

Lesley Misko Editor

[Contributing to this article were Kim Slonaker*, Lesley Misko]

Helping to save a life – it is the most precious and challenging work someone can do. And those who are part of the Boyertown Community Ambulance Service (BCAS) do exactly that.

But lifesaving is costly, so on May 11, 1:00 PM, at Twin Ponds Golf Course in Gilbertsville, BCAS is turning its attention to fundraising and hosting its first ever golf tournament,
“Heroes on the Green,” with the slogan, “Making Drives Saving Lives.” They hope the community will come out to support their efforts to raise funds to help pay for the best equipment available, sufficient and well- trained staff, and a well-maintained facility.

BCAS board member and recent treasurer Kim Slonaker shares that during her 32 year career working at the Boyertown YMCA, there were times when she needed to call for an ambulance. “When I called, the ambulance would arrive and provide assistance, but I knew nothing about the complex finances that enabled that service to be provided,” she recalls.

However, in recent years, the BCAS became more personal to Slonaker because of a family member’s medical needs. “I feel so grateful for the existence of a skilled, local ambulance team that is caring and able to respond quickly because they are local, that I found myself wanting to help. I began to learn all kinds of information about how much things cost and about all the equipment necessary to provide the best possible outcome. I got absorbed by it,” she summarizes. Slonaker has now served on the board since 2019.

Slonaker explains that in the quest to find ways to raise money, Donnie Ellixson, owner of Ellixson’s Tae Kwon Do Academy and a BCAS Board Member, volunteered to lead the event since he has years of experience coordinating golf outings and raising money for causes that are close to his heart. His hope is to raise $15,000 or more which would be a great fundraiser for the BCAS that serves the Boyertown and surrounding communities every day.

Jim Boyer, BCAS Chief notes, "Many people do not realize that it is very expensive to operate an Ambulance Service. A patient's insurance does not cover the total cost of the services that are provided to them, and many times the balance is not collected from the patient due to lack of funds. A major expense for us is also the purchase of necessary equipment. Before becoming involved on the BCAS Board of Directors, many of the members did not realize that a Cardiac Monitor costs over $42,000 and only has a few years life expectancy. Thanks to a very fiscally responsible and hard-working Board of Directors, we were recently able to re-chassy one of our ambulances, but it came at a cost of $196,000."

Explaining why he chose Twin Ponds and CD’s Catering for the event, Ellixson says, "Having the event at Twin Ponds Golf Course is a big plus since it is a great course and many of the golfers in this area are very familiar with the course and golf there often. Another plus to this outing is that Chris Dietz of CD's Place is catering the event and who doesn't love CD's Catering? You might laugh, but some people actually come for the food!"

The outing is filling up fast but there are still a few openings for foursomes and sponsors. In addition to playing in the tournament, community members can help support the project by “sponsoring a hole” for $150; sponsoring food and beverages for $500; or being an event sponsor for $1000. All proceeds benefit BCAS.

Registration is available online at www.boyertownems.org. Just click on the bar at the top of the page that says, "Heroes on the Green 2024" and then complete your registration and pay online.

* Kim Slonaker is a 1978 graduate of Boyertown Area Senior High School. Following graduation, she worked for National Penn Bank, married her high school sweetheart, Todd (aka "Scrufty"), took some time off to be a stay-at-home mom, and then returned to the workplace in a 32 year career at the Boyertown YMCA. She and her husband have two children.

In case you missed these previous Boyertown Expression articles, you can learn more about BCAS here:

Read about BCAS here

Read about Jim Boyer BCAS Chief's selection as First Responder of the Year

Listen to Jane Stahl's "Be Inspired" podcast about BCAS