Honoring First Responders
Proceeds Will Support Capital Equipment for GEMS during the Pandemic
Greenwich Emergency Medical Service, Inc. (GEMS) is hosting a virtual wine and cheese fireside chat on February 5th at 7pm. All proceeds will go to support GEMS as the staff works on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Event participants will receive a “Tasting-In-A-Box” and participate in a conversation with Josh Cellars Wine Founder, Joseph Carr, Sommelier Theo Rutherford and Cheese Monger Lydia Caspari from Arethusa Farm. Joseph Carr's father was a First responder. The “Tasting-In-A-Box” includes three bottles of wine from Josh Cellar Wines, and a beautifully presented cheese, charcuterie, and chocolate box from Marcia Selden Catering.
“We have had successful fundraising events for the past three years and we didn’t want to lose momentum because of the pandemic,” said, Tracy Schietinger, Executive Director of GEMS. “GEMS staff is on the front lines every day, and this event will help raise critical funds to ensure that we have the proper equipment not only to address the Covid-19 crisis, but to respond to every medical emergency with the highest quality of care.”
Tickets begin at $200 for two adults, and with a “Lifesaver Ticket” at $350, GEMS staff will use an ambulance to deliver the “Tasting-In-A-Box” to participants’ homes. In addition to tickets, GEMS is hosting an online silent auction and opportunities for people to donate to the lifesaving work GEMS provides to the residents of the Town of Greenwich.
GEMS began operations in 1986 as an independent, non-profit organization. It has received ongoing statewide recognition for its demanding professional standards, a system design that assures rapid responses, innovative technology, excellent training opportunities, and comprehensive community outreach programs.
Proceeds from the wine and cheese tasting will enable GEMS to supply some of the necessary capital equipment required to provide the highest quality emergency medical services to the Town. All vehicles, durable medical equipment and computers are just some of the items 100% funded by donations.
GEMS is not a department or arm of Town government, but rather an independent provider of emergency medical services pursuant to a contract with the Town. GEMS pays for all of its capital needs through fundraising efforts, thus saving the Town more than $10 million since its inception more than 34 years ago. For more information visit www.greenwichems.org.