By Tony LaRussa – Trib Total Media
When North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue launched a program this year to prevent problems that could lead to hospital stays, officials knew finding the money to fund it might be a problem.
Grants and insurance wouldn’t pay for such a program, which involves paramedics visiting people in their homes to conduct wellness checks.
But rather than raise money for its new Community Paramedicine program with hoagie sales, bingo or other traditional fundraisers, the paramedics decided to try something different.
Shane Spielvogle, executive director of North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue, said the department’s billing specialist, Kelly Pirl, suggested kickball.
Pirl said she learned about adult kickball through social media and signed up to play with a league that holds games in North Park.
“Some of the fire stations have golf outings as fundraisers, which is great, but not everybody plays golf,” Pirl said. “But pretty much anybody can play kickball. It’s an easy, inexpensive game and a whole lot of fun.”
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