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An American Medical Response ambulance filled with clothing and medical supplies will soon be on its way to El Salvador in a shipping container.

 

Felton residents Les and Nancy Gardner will arrange and pay for the ambulance, donated by AMR after it was retired from the company’s fleet, to be shipped to the Central American nation at the end of October. 

 

“The ambulance company is unbelievable,” said Les Gardner. “When they retire an ambulance, they look for a good home for it.

 

“We’re just a little facilitator for this company that is a wonderful donor.”

 

The ambulance will be sent to Chalchuapa, a city of 160,000 residents without an ambulance of its own. The ambulance will be filled with items for the hospital, an orphanage and an elder care home. 

 

“It really makes a hell of an impact,” said Gardner, a filmmaker who, five years ago, made a documentary about a large earthquake in El Salvador and hired drivers to guide the ambulance to the country shortly after.

 

Gardner said Chalchuapa currently uses pickup trucks to cart the sick and injured to the hospital. 

 

Valley Churches United Missions in Ben Lomond is allowing Gardner to use its nonprofit status to donate the ambulance. No donations to VCUM will be sent to El Salvador. 

 

Garner is hoping to fill the ambulance with supplies, including sheets and bedding for single beds, kid’s sandals, shorts, shirts and blouses, school supplies, towels, vitamins for seniors and children, first aid supplies, walkers, wheel chairs, antibiotics and open-toed sandals for seniors. 

 

Contact Gardner at 335-3182 to donate items.