The Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps (MVAC) has celebrated its silver anniversary, but it's an organization that has been worth gold to the public. At a celebration at the New Hyde Park Inn on Saturday, members of the MVAC celebrated 25 years by providing valuable service to the public by providing emergency medical attention in the most dire of needs.

From its modest beginning as an idea conceived by Joseph and Louise DiGiorgio and William Morgan, MVAC has become an institution whose foundation is based on meeting the emergency medical needs of the residents, members of the workforce and visitors of Mineola.

The survival of the organization is based on the caliber of its leadership in this area, MVAC has been and continues to be blessed. Those who helped lay the cornerstone include such dignitaries as Stanley and Peggy Rupnick, Bruce Nedelka, Cathy Hirt, Walter and Diane Strauss, Joan Benatti, Cathy Lauterbach, Patrick Tobin and the DiGiorgios.

The organization would like to thank the residents, merchants and charitable organizations for the money donated to MVAC, which was used to purchase equipment that is used to save lives or prevent serious injuries.

Although the idea for the corps was discussed in 1977, MVAC didn't begin its service to the people of Mineola until April 29, 1979. A celebration involving the residents and high-ranking officials of the village took place at the American Legion Hall. Prior to the celebration, a motorcade featuring the corps two ambulances made its way through the village.

In December 1979, MVAC president Bruce Nedelka stated that 341 calls were responded to in the first eight months of operation. However, cardiac telemetry was desperately needed in order to better serve the residents of the village.

In March 1980, MVAC was able to purchase the telemetry equipment needed thanks in part to the efforts of the County Seat Kiwanis Club and the Mineola Mustang Run.

In 1994, MVAC received a unit citation for its actions at the Long Island Rail Road shooting on Dec. 7, 1993. MVAC responded to the call that day with three advanced support ambulances. MVAC member Larry Speciner was the recipient of the New York State American Legion Law and Order Citation for his actions as an emergency medical technician.

In 1998, MVAC was named the Nassau Regional Emergency Medical Service Council's EMS Agency of the Year.

On Sept. 11, 2001, in one of the nation's most critical times, MVAC responded with eight members, one ambulance and a rapid response vehicle to New York City.

Today, the dedicated members of MVAC continue to provide a valuable service to Mineola. In 2003, the corps responded to 1,389 calls and in the first two months of 2004, responded to 242 calls.

"As one of the original members of MVAC, I have seen the organization evolve from Basic Life Support to Advanced Life Support. I have seen the faces and names change, but the responsibility to the people of Mineola remains unchanged, which is to guarantee prompt and effective emergency medical care," said Mr. Tobin, the MVAC president.

The gala celebration was organized by Tracy Abamont, chairperson of the Anniversary Committee. Longtime member Kenneth Solosky served as the master of ceremonies. A video presentation presented by 1st Assistant Chief Russell Brown and 3rd Assistant Chief Michael Safier was also one of the highlights of the evening. Twenty-five year members honored included Mr. Tobin, Mr. and Mrs. DiGiorgio, Joan Benatti, Tom Egan, Don Franz, Dennis Craine and Frank Nedelka.

Congratulations and happy anniversary to the entire corps.

The Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps' slate of officers for 2004

Chief of Operations	Edward Rummel
1st Assistant Chief		Russell Brown
2nd Assistant Chief	Joseph Laino
3rd Assistant Chief	Michael Safier
Captain	Neil Velasco
Lieutenant	Brendan Healy
President	Patrick Tobin
Vice President	Frank Nedelka
Secretary	Pamela Portnoy
Trustee	Tracy Abamont
Trustee	Filipe Mendes