Struggling to get out of a financial slump, volunteers at Northwestern Ambulance Corps, New Tripoli, have been reaching out to the community for help.

Executive Director Kathy Van Allen said the corps sent out letters in early July asking residents within the corps 104-square mile coverage area in Northwestern Lehigh County and parts of Berks County for donations in an attempt to raise $100,000.

Recently, the ambulance corps mailed out raffle tickets for a quilt, television and other prizes.

Board Member Dave Van Allen said the non-profit emergency services organization is looking to raise $100,000 from local residents, organizations and businesses.

The Junior Order of United American Mechanics of New Tripoli is trying to get the ball rolling with a $1,000 donation to the corps and an additional $1,000 when another organization provides a donation of $1,000 or more.

Members of the Lodge 204 are calling the fundraising campaign the "Save Northwestern Ambulance Challenge," and hope, by matching the next donor's $1,000, it will encourage that donor to do the same.

"That's what the lodge is all about," said member Chuck Groller. "If someone needs something, we will help out."

Lodge members met with Northwestern Ambulance volunteers Aug. 4 to present a check of $1,000 to the corps.

Ambulance Corps President Larry Hartman said he hopes the donation will stimulate a domino effect within area organizations and businesses.

Lodge trustee Pharon Metzger said the idea of the challenge is to have the lodge match the first organization to donate $1,000.

From there, he hopes the organization will do the same with the following.

That way the ambulance corps has the ability to raise the crucial funding twice as fast.

Dave Van Allen said the ambulance corps has been struggling since the beginning of the year.

He said the main funding for the corps relies on its reimbursements from insurance companies following an incident and, many times, insurance companies will pay the patient directly.

If the patient does not reimburse emergency services, the ambulance corps has no way of obtaining the money.

Van Allen said the amount in patient non-reimbursements totals $100,000 and the ambulance corps is in danger of closing if it doesn't get operational funding.

If the ambulance corps shuts its doors, there will be no way to bring immediate emergency equipment and trained EMTs to residents of Northwestern Lehigh.

"Over the past 10 years, dozens of people are alive today because of the ambulance corps," Van Allen said.

For information and to obtain a copy of the letter, call 610-298-2159. Leave a message and one of the directors will return the call.