Giving Hearts Day

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, which means it's time to show some love to our local first responders.

Giving Hearts Day is a time when communities throughout North Dakota and northwest Minnesota come together to support their local charities and organizations, and it occurs just before Valentine's Day every year.

Last year, more than $26 million was raised for 562 participating charities, including the Community Ambulance Service of New Rockford (CASNR).

And this year, CASNR is once again participating in the annual fundraising event, which will take place on Thursday, Feb. 8.

CASNR has an ambitious goal this year to raise $46,000, which would go a long way towards helping fund the necessary expenses that keep them fully operational, such as training, staffing and equipment.

"It's our biggest fundraiser that we do for the ambulance," said Angie Hopfauf, manager of CASNR. "Those funds are huge if we have a piece of equipment that breaks down and we need to replace it, and for looking at new and better equipment.

"The funds also help with training and with the 24 hour staffing that we have, which is super important," she added.

Of the 365 days that CASNR offers life-saving protection every year, they're asking residents to set aside just one day to help them stay operational, and there are multiple ways residents can lend a hand this Giving Hearts Day.

• Write a check to Community Ambulance Service of New Rockford, postdate it for Feb. 8, 2024, and mail the check to PO Box 246, New Rockford, N.D. 58356. Write Giving Hearts Day in the memo.

• Go online to GivingHeartsDay.org on Thursday, Feb. 8; click on the "donate" button and select Community Ambulance Service of New Rockford, then follow the instructions to make a donation.

• Don't want to wait until Feb. 8? Schedule a gift in advance. Donors can conveniently schedule online donations for Giving Hearts Day 2024 right now by making a donation at GivingHeartsDay.org anytime through Feb. 8. Scheduled gifts will be processed on Feb. 8.

On Feb. 8, the community is also invited to attend a soup and breadstick lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the community ambulance hall.

A free-will offering will be taken for lunch and attendees can register to win door prizes, with all proceeds being added to CASNR's Giving Hearts Day event total. To-go orders will also be available.

Giving Hearts Day is the community's chance to show their appreciation for the work of first responders here in Eddy County, so be sure to follow the steps provided to help fund the very tools and equipment that are instrumental in saving lives.

Meanwhile, volunteers are always needed and appreciated at CASNR.

Hopfauf said they're currently looking for anyone who can be a driver, an EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) or an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). Hopfauf said CASNR would provide all the training and cover related costs for someone willing to volunteer.

Anyone interested in volunteering should give Angie Hopfauf a call at (701) 307-0271, or email [email protected].