Local causes Receive Support from Lake EMS Employees

Lake EMS employees are in the business of saving lives and caring for people in crisis. Every day they respond to calls for medical assistance. Their commitment to helping people goes beyond their work shift. Recently, Lake EMS employees raised over $2600 for two important causes – Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence—who share awareness month designations in October.

This week Lake EMS Executive Director Jerry Smith presented a check for $1325.00 to Rebecca Teston, Assistant Executive Director of Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties, to support their Domestic Violence programs. Lake EMS District Chief Amer Kassas, who spearheaded the employee fundraising project, was also on hand to assist in the presentation.

As Jerry Smith explained, “Lake EMS has supported Breast Cancer Awareness for a number of years with employees designing, selling, and wearing t-shirts during the month of October that draw attention to this widespread form of cancer. This year, employees broadened their focus to include another serious epidemic—domestic violence. Both of these life-impacting conditions affect women and families in Lake County every day.”

Mr. Smith lauded Lake EMS employees for identifying these two very important causes and then raising funds to help alleviate the effects of domestic violence and breast cancer locally. He emphasized, “We were emphatic that the funds raised would stay in our community and benefit local families.

Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties provides free services related to domestic violence and sexual assault. Programs include a 24-hour hotline, legal advocacy, counseling, as well as food and clothing assistance. Haven has a newly renovated thrift store at 2600 South Street in Leesburg that accepts donations of clothing and household items. Donations are given to program participants and sold in the thrift store, with proceeds supporting Haven services.

Another check for $1325 will be presented to Compassionate Hands & Hearts – Breast Cancer Outreach. This local volunteer organization provides physical, mental, and emotional support to breast cancer patients. Their mission is to extend their hands and hearts to support those needing help battling breast cancer by improving the quality of life for those affected and their families. 100% of our donations go directly to local breast cancer patients and their families.

Lake Emergency Medical Services, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization formed in 2011 by Lake County to provide quality, community-based EMS services. The agency operates 19 Advanced Life Support units at peak operation, dynamically deployed throughout the county. Lake EMS is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors headed by Chairman Welton G. Cadwell. Gerald “Jerry” L. Smith II serves as Executive Director with administrative offices located at 2761 W. Old Highway 441 in Mount Dora, Florida. The Lake EMS Communications Center is now co-located with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in the Emergency Communications and Operations Center in Tavares.