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People Fund grants over $18,800 at January meeting

April 01, 2012

The Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative People Fund awarded the Wellington Community Fire District (WFD) with a $2,000 grant to assist in sending a fireman to paramedic training.

The Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative People Fund awarded the Wellington Community Fire District (WFD) with a $2,000 grant to assist in sending a fireman to paramedic training.

The People Fund issued eight grants totaling $18,800 at its January meeting.

Assistant Fire District Chief Bill Brown said, "Since 2004, newly hired fire fighters are required to obtain their EMT-Basic certification, in response to increased amounts of EMS work we provide for our residents."

The WFD provides primary fire protection for Brighton, Huntington, Penfield, Pittsfield and Wellington townships, as well as the Village of Wellington. Additionally WFD provides backup EMS serves to the South Lorain County Ambulance District and the Central Lorain County Ambulance District. Brown said the WFD covers a 125-square mile area.

"Receiving the grant from the People Fund will enable the fire district to help fund Fire fighter Derick Oswald's training as a paramedic. When completed, Oswald will be able to provide advanced skills, not possible as a basic EMT. The People Fund grand has enabled our financially responsible department to continue providing an outstanding service to the over 12,000 residents of the Wellington Fire District."

In other news form the January meeting, the LMRE People Fund awarded Bill and Marilyn McMillan of Sullivan a $3,000 grant to assist in the purchase of a wheelchair and materials for a handicap ramp.

"It is great to have a program like the People Fund available. Without their help, we wouldn't have been able to afford the materials for the handicap ramp or the wheelchair," said Bill.

Marilyn was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease which recently resulted in surgery to fuse her ankles. Bill added, "In the future, Marilyn will also need to have both of her knees replaced."

Along with Marilyn's joint disease, Bill also suffers from degenerative disk disease and arthritis of the spine.

Bill said the ramp will help Marilyn get into the house easier, but also make it easier for him to aid Marilyn since they won't have to negotiate stairs.

"Good friends from Ashland offered to do the installation of the ramp for us free of charge. I have been working hard to get all of the wood-staining complete before the installation begins," said Bill.

The McMillan's have lived in the Sullivan area for 36 years. "We couldn't have done it without the help of the People Fund," said Marilyn.

Additionally, the People Fund approved six other grants:

• $1,600 grant to Huntington Historical Society for the preservation of their one-room schoolhouse;
• $2,000 grant to the Lodi Community Church for back-to-school supplies;
• $3,000 grant to the Ashland County Agricultural Society for updates to the junior fair goat barn;
• Three personal grants were awarded totaling $7,262.48.

To date, the People Fund has assisted 406 applicants totaling more than $992,638. To inquire about a People Fund application, call the Member Services Department at 1-800-222-LMRE.