Draft Proposal Letter

Oneida County Ambulance Board,

The 9-1-1 Guatemala campaign of the Charity Anywhere Foundation has raised $2,000 in hopes of purchasing the 1989 Chevrolet ambulance on bid by the Oneida County Commissioners. The $2,000 has been donated by professional individuals dedicated to the cause of improving emergency service with an ambulance to the rural hospital of La Tinta, Guatemala in August 2010.

There is great need for medical improvements in the city of La Tinta. It was this need, first seen by a few members of 9-1-1 Guatemala, that inspired several people to dedicate time and financial support to the acquisition of an ambulance for those who desperately need it.

Since La Tinta currently uses a Volkswagen van as an emergency medical vehicle, the larger and better equipped ambulance from Oneida County would be welcomed as a valuable asset. “The [donated] ambulance will be used to transport seriously injured patients to better equipped hospitals,” said Dr. Cifuentes, administrator of the National Hospital of La Tinta. Because of a lack of medical resources in La Tinta many patients are transported to distant regional hospitals. The closest regional hospital is a three hour drive.

The 9-1-1 Guatemala campaign also includes a medical and construction mission planned concurrently with the donation of the ambulance. Volunteers, mostly students and medical professionals, will travel to La Tinta to give their time and labor to assist with the humanitarian mission. Volunteer emergency medical technicians will also travel to Guatemala to train the Guatemalan ambulance operators in first aid and the proper operation of the donated ambulance and equipment. This is a training opportunity for volunteer EMTs in Oneida County and ultimately, a service that will save many lives. Charity Anywhere Foundation encourages Oneida County EMTs to join the humanitarian mission and share their knowledge with the Guatemalan people.

Mission coordinators will correlate between the Guatemalan hospital staff and the Oneida County EMTs to establish a training curriculum to be used during the mission. One or more interpreters will accompany the EMTs as they train ambulance operators in La Tinta, as well as the surrounding villages, allowing effective training for both Guatemalan and Oneida County personnel.

A campaign of fundraising events will be launched this summer by the Utah State University student public relations firm, True Blue Public Relations. The funds raised by the campaign will purchase medical supplies, equipment and construction materials. The USU student chapter of Charity Anywhere will help launch the campaign and will recruit volunteers for the medical/construction mission. Events include a benefit concert, several races, and a silent-auction banquet sponsored by local businesses. These events will run throughout the summer to raise a goal of $5,000.

The campaign will generate support through a variety of channels such as YouTube, Facebook, Blogger, and press releases sent to newspapers, radio, and television news programs. Interns from True Blue PR will manage these media and will raise awareness to the cause throughout the summer. Progression of the campaign and humanitarian mission will be posted on social media sites so contributors can remain involved in the cause.

Thank you for your time and consideration. The support of Oneida County is greatly appreciated and will further our campaign for the cause of 9-1-1 Guatemala.


Jesse Dredge,
Project Coordinator
435-757-2898
911guatemala@gmail.com