Hayfields Market hosts Friday night fundraiser for North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps

On Friday, May 27, Hayfields hosted a fundraising event to support the North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NSVAC). Attendees enjoyed live acoustic music from American Idol singer and songwriter Sam Hastings as well as beer, wine, and food from Hayfields head chef Paul Gileno.

“The past few years have been difficult for our department to have an annual fundraising event, so Hayfields has stepped up again to help us,” said Kurt Guldan, president of NSVAC. The ambulance corps relies primarily on donations and fundraising events as its main source of income. The funds raised from this event will go towards “vital, life-saving equipment, continuing education and training for new members, and basic supplies,” Guldan said.

NSVAC captain Angelica Storino grew up in North Salem and said she joined the Ambulance Corps in order to help her neighbors and the community when they need it most. Storino, who has been a member for the past five years, plans to become a physician’s assistant and said that her time with the NSVAC has provided her with invaluable hands-on training. “The commitment is just six hours per week and one meeting and one drill per month,” Storino said. “We provide CPR training and train drivers as well. We definitely need more hands.”

Proud NSVAC members. (Benjamin Allen, HudValley Photo)

Guldan expressed his thanks to Hayfields owner Renea Dayton, as well as the Hayfields staff for hosting the Friday night event. The event was well attended by North Salem locals of all ages. It was standing room only inside of Hayfields, the parking lot was full, and attendees spilled out into Hayfield’s picnic areas, enjoying a casual night of ‘garden vibes’ in the name of a good cause.

Dayton was excited to see the North Salem community come together for the fundraising event. “We have always been supporters of the ambulance corps. We have a great community and people want to support the town,” she said.

Renea Dayton and Peter Kamenstein pose together at the fundraising event. (Benjamin Allen, HudValley Photo)

The North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps is seeking volunteers to help with all aspects of emergency response, including EMTs, drivers and attendants. No prior experience is necessary. NSVAC accepts volunteer members as young as 16 years old for its junior corps. For more information or to make a donation, visit https://nsvac.org