SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Thanks to the generosity of the Schenectady, New York-based Mohawk Ambulance Service, The Mariano Rivera Foundation and Panamas Air Marine Cargo international, the residents of Puerto Caimito, Panama, a tiny Pacific fishing village and hometown of Yankees legendary closer Mariano Rivera, have received their first-ever ambulance rigs.
The ambulances arrived during Riveras visit to his hometown, just before the start of the Legend 2014 Series in Panama City. Riveras foundation works to improve the lives of those in his native Panama. Today, residents face shortages of critical supplies, including medical equipment.
We are extremely grateful to Mohawk Ambulance Services for its gift to Puerto Caimito, said Rivera. The ambulances will be put to great use and will undoubtedly have a tremendous impact on the emergency and medical needs of the community.
Two-8 cylinder, 2006, Ford vehicles, valued at approximately $10,000 each and equipped with Stryker stretchers valued at $5,000 each, were shipped via the Port of Miami for the trip to Puerto Caimito. While Mohawk donated the full value of the equipment to the Mariano Rivera Foundation, the freight cost was donated by Air Marine Cargo International.
Rivera, the son of a sardine boat captain, grew up in the impoverished 17,000 person town where often there was not enough money for baseballs, mitts or other sporting equipment.
James P. McPartlon, III, vice president for Mohawk Ambulance said, We are pleased to be able to provide these rigs to Puerto Caimito and thank Mariano for his dedication to the people of Puerto Caimito. We are deeply thrilled that our vehicles will once again be in use and bringing vital services to those who need it most.
About Mohawk Ambulance Service:
Mohawk Ambulance Service is the largest, privately-owned ambulance service in upstate New York. With 35 ambulances and 3 fly cars, Mohawk Ambulance Service provides Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support services to the counties of Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga. Mohawk Ambulance Service employs more than 250 New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technicians, Critical Care Technicians and Paramedics ready to provide the highest quality of emergency medical care.
About the Mariano Rivera Foundation:
The Mariano Rivera Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults in Riveras native Panama and his adopted home of New York. The foundations projects include building a church and four schools in the interior of the country. The Foundation also sponsors computer houses in two underprivileged Panamanian communities where computer literacy is taught. Through church-based institutions in the US and Panama the foundation also distributes over $500,000 USD annually to childrens aid organizations.