With all we’ve been through, more than a year of the pandemic, there are a lot of people we need to thank. Hospital workers, delivery people, small businesses and restaurants, and many more. Not just for helping us during an extended crisis, but for always being there when we need them.
Did you know there’s a National EMS Week? It begins in May, and this year, we can take the time to show our appreciation for their life-saving work and for answering every emergency call, day and night.
Our local Weston EMS is turning the week with a kick-off raffle. It runs May 1-15, in the run up to the national week. This is its first online raffle, and it hopes to raise funds to support its mission of providing emergency medical care and services free of charge to the residents of Weston. A 501 C-3 nonprofit organization, Weston EMS is one of only two services in the state of Connecticut that does not charge for its 24/7, 365-days-a-year services, because its highly trained crew members are 100% volunteer.
You can enter to win www.westonems.com or text 41144 to WestonEMS.
Onto the prizes! For the raffle, EMS has turned to local restaurants and businesses, making it a townwide celebration and effort to do good and have some fun at the same time. It has already lined up more than 50 amazing prizes for generous local donors. And these prizes are worth more than $100, and some even run from $200 and up to $500. The best part (aside from helping local EMS workers) is that the prizes come from favorite local shops and restaurants (the places you already enjoy going to and supporting).
Here’s a peek at what you can hope to win:
Restaurants: Gift cards to Fairfield County favorites, including The Whelk, Kawa Ni, Don Memo, Pink Sumo, Hudson Malone, The Spotted Horse, The Wire Mill and The Lunch Box.
Gourmet Food and Flowers: Gift Cards for Stile’s Farmer’s Market, Superior Seafood, Confetti, Savannah Bee, Compo Farm Flowers, and more.
Art and Photography: Art from some of Westport’s celebrated artists, including Miggs Burroughs, Elizabeth White, Chris Juneau, and photographer Wendy Lewis.
Epicurean Delights: Cooking classes with AMG Catering, chocolates from Le Rouge Chocolates & Harry & David.
Bundles of Good Stuff: Gift baskets from Earth Animal, Choice Pet, Trader Joe’s and Harry & David.
Health and Wellness: Gift certificates for Westport Chiropractic and nutritionist Esther Blum.
Fitness and Sports: Memberships to Weston Racquet Club, MOCA, Quick Center for the Arts, and LaChat Farm.
Beauty: Gifts and gift cards from Salon 293, NEST Fragrances, Posh Nail, PCA & EltaMD skincare products, Maui Jim sunglasses from Westport Eye Care, and more.
Not into winning stuff? Residents are asked to please consider a direct donation if they do not wish to enter the raffle. WVEMS relies exclusively on the generosity of residents to fund its operations. Donations and legacy gifts are its only source of funding. See more at westonems.com.