Liberty Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Encourages Communities to Support LifeFlight
Each year, through its Community Giving Program, the LifeFlight Foundation reaches out to municipalities across Maine asking for support. Since 2006, more than 280 communities have come together to contribute a total of $1.1 million. This includes the Town of Liberty, which has contributed to LifeFlight’s Community Giving Program consecutively for the last ten years. Liberty, which has fewer than 1,000 residents, has donated a total of $8,700 to LifeFlight over the years.
Liberty Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Lisa Gillespie is proud of her community’s support of LifeFlight and is encouraging other communities to do the same.
“I recall attending two town meetings where donating around $500 to LifeFlight was discussed, as that is what they asked for. Unfortunately, it was rejected at one meeting with some people arguing they would provide the services regardless, so why bother donating,” she said. “As a first responder, that was disheartening to hear.”
LifeFlight’s commitment to Maine is that every person, in every community, has access to critical care and transport when needed. As a nonprofit, LifeFlight provides services to patients regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay for the cost of medical care.
LifeFlight relies on the support of towns, individuals, hospitals, businesses, and other partners around the state to maintain and upgrade its fleet, replace and purchase improved medical equipment, offer a wide range of education programs, and invest in the state’s aviation infrastructure. Without the help of many generous donors, LifeFlight would not be able to accomplish its mission.
Deputy Chief Gillespie says a recent encounter with LifeFlight made her realize the importance of LifeFlight’s services. Now, she’s helping to spread the word to other Mainers by taking to social media and sharing why she thinks it’s important for communities to approve donations to the nonprofit.
“Imagine if it were your loved one in need — wouldn’t you want LifeFlight there? Seeing that helicopter show up brings so much relief. To me, $500 is a small price for a town to pay for the gift of life. Let’s come together to support this vital service and make a difference in our communities,” she said.
Every year, LifeFlight asks each community in Maine to make a suggested donation based on population — $1 per capita for towns of up to 1,000 residents; $0.50 per capita for those with up to 2,000 residents; and $0.25 per capita rate for larger communities, with annual requests typically capped at $2,000.
“We are thankful for the community support we receive every year from the Town of Liberty and other communities across the state,” said Ashley MacMillan, the Director of Annual Giving for the LifeFlight Foundation. “Each one of these gifts is an acknowledgement from a Maine community that they understand and appreciate the vitally important and unique role that LifeFlight plays as a connector in the state’s fragile healthcare system.”
We invite our friends and advocates in each community to help us by speaking in favor of this request for support with their town councilors and at their community’s annual budget meeting. For more information on how you can get involved, contact Ashley at AMacmillian@LifeFlightMaine.org.
Click here to see if your community has supported our Community Giving Campaign.
