Published: May 29, 2009 07:47 am      

Event to help ambulance services

The Buffalo Emergency Ambulance Rescue Squad (BEARS) and Buffalo Emergency Service are putting on a poker run and luau this Saturday as a fundraiser for new hydraulic ambulance cots.

The poker run will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Buffalo Ambulance Services office located in the north part of town.

“It’s always a hoot,” said Susan Harper, director of the Buffalo EMS.

About 30 people have already registered to participate in the poker run. They will begin in Buffalo and then head out to local ambulance services in the area, including Laverne and Woodward.

At each ambulance station they will take a card to compose their poker hand.

When everyone makes it back to Buffalo the best hand will be determined. The winner gets to keep half of the entry fee of each player. The other half goes to the BEARS.

“We try to draw attention to all of the ambulance services,” Harper said of the decision to have the poker run stops in different towns. “We all work together.”

The luau will begin at 3 p.m. with a carnival at the Harper County Fairgrounds.

At 6 p.m. the wives of the BEARS will cook a meal for those who wish to eat. Pulled pork, pasta salad, baked beans and dinner rolls will be served. Cost for the meal is by donations.

Following the dinner will be a dance that will run until 1 a.m.

This is the first time the BEARS and Buffalo EMS have put on an event like this, but Harper said she expects this to be an annual fundraiser.

“This is our answer to national EMS week,” she said.

All proceeds from the poker run and luau will go toward the purchase of hydraulic cots.

“The number one injury in EMS is due to lifting,” Harper said. “A hydraulic cot can help us immeasurably with reducing those injuries. Our patients are getting bigger and our medics are getting older.”

Harper said that besides the EMS and BEARS, other local groups have helped out in putting these events on, including the Faith Riders of Buffalo.