Friends of Poland operates out of New Bedford, MA, with only about 150 volunteers, most of whom are retired and simply love the idea of doing something worthwhile to help the people of Poland. They gather medical equipment and books and then work with the Catholic charity, Caritas, to distribute the equipment to needy charitable organizations.

Carol Fallon, wife of Ray Fallon, who served as the company's president and CEO until his retirement earlier this year, has a connection to the country of Poland that makes this donation special. Her grandparents emigrated from that land to the United States many years ago. It was her grandparents' stories of their native land that inspired the company's program to donate ambulances to Poland. Since Fallon Ambulance organized the program several years ago, the company has donated a total of 10 ambulances to be placed in strategic areas in Poland with the greatest need for them. Eventually, Fallon Ambulance hopes to donate a total of 50 ambulances to the organization.

The vehicles carry a value of $67,000 fully equipped; a bare bones or "stripped" vehicle is worth approximately $32,000.

"Poland operates on a regional basis for ambulances," said Walter Jarnot of Friends of Poland. "One ambulance might cover an area of 60-70 miles. In the rural areas of the country the need is especially high."

He noted that the ambulances are needed for medical emergencies as well as transporting organs.

"The people of Fallon are tremendous, not only do they give us the ambulances but they are great at giving us additional equipment for the ambulances that are scarce in Poland."

All ambulances are completely refurbished by volunteers with a new paint job and any mechanical repairs needed. The ambulances are then shipped to Poland by boat, at a cost of approximately $2000. The organization looks for Sponsors at $3,000 to cover the cost of transportation and refurbishing the ambulances, which are then sent in memory of loved ones.

"We are glad to help the people of Poland," said Peter Racicot, Vice President of Business Development for Fallon. "It is wonderful to see these retired ambulances put to such good use, where they are needed. Poland is an area of the world that needs and deserves medical contributions, and the efforts of Friends of Poland are admirable."

Contributions to the ambulance fund may be sent to: Friends of Poland, Inc., P.O. Box 50277, New Bedford, MA 02745.

Fallon Ambulance was founded in 1936 by James R. Fallon, Sr., and remains a family operated business to this day. The founder's son, James R, (Ray) Fallon, Jr, and five of his children have all played an integral part of the company's operation. Fallon Ambulance employs more than 425 personnel, including 125 paramedics and 300 EMTs and operates 114 vehicles. The company provides 9-1-1 service to Milton, Quincy, Brookline, Braintree and Dedham, and primary backup to Boston, Randolph, as well as medical transportation for a number of nursing homes, hospitals, and HMOs throughout Greater Boston. The firm maintains headquarters at 95 Eliot Street, Milton, MA 02187, and operates satellite offices in Weymouth, Allston, and Quincy, MA. Fallon Ambulance Service is a 1998 and 1999 recipient of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce's "Success Profile," and was honored by both the Chamber and Massachusetts Governor Paul Celluci. For additional information about Fallon Ambulance Services or programs that the company offers, contact Peter Racicot at (617) 698-0215.

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