ACCF and Allamakee County EMS partnering in challenge grant to purchase UV lights for COVID-19 sanitation of county ambulances
Sample of UV light.. Submitted image.
Community members, organizations and businesses challenged to help meet $3500 grant match by ACCF
The Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) and Allamakee County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are partnering to help reduce COVID-19 community spread. Those agencies are looking for help from the communities they serve in order to make that possible.
The Community Foundation has announced it will match up to $3,500 in donations from individuals, organizations and local businesses toward the purchase of ultraviolet (UV) lights for six ambulances throughout Allamakee County and a larger UV light for use at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. These UV lights (an example of which is pictured in the accompanying photo) can be used for efficient, safe room sanitation in as little as 10 minutes, and can be remotely activated. This greatly shortens sanitation time and allows medical spaces to be occupied much more quickly following patient use.
Allamakee County EMS is inviting EMS departments from New Albin, Lansing, Harpers Ferry, Waterville, Postville and Waukon to participate in this challenge grant. Allamakee County community members, organizations and businesses are encouraged to join the effort by making a tax-deductible contribution.
“EMS services touch us all. This is a meaningful way for Allamakee County residents to help our community,” says Betty Steege, ACCF Coordinator. “It looks like the coronavirus may be here for a while, and we will all benefit from the added layer of safety in reducing COVID-19 community spread.”
“The disinfecting practices used by the ambulance services in Allamakee County have always been a high priority for patient and provider safety. Adding a UV light to the existing practice allows us to disinfect on a new level and enhance everyone’s safety,” says Cheryl Livingston, a paramedic with the Veterans Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service and Allamakee County EMS.
Donations for the UV light purchase can be made payable to the ACCF COVID-19 Health Response Fund and can be mailed to the Allamakee County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 332, Waukon, IA 52172 or made online at dbqfoundation.org/allamakeedisaster. Any funds which exceed the challenge match will be directed to projects that further protect and relieve the community.
Donations can also be dropped off at bank collection points throughout the county either into the depository inside vestibules or at drive-through windows. Those bank drop-off points are located at New Albin Savings Bank, Kerndt Brothers Bank in Lansing or Waukon, Waukon State Bank, Peoples Savings Bank in Harpers Ferry, Freedom Bank in Postville or Waukon, and Fidelity Bank in Postville.
The Allamakee County Community Foundation was formed in 2005 as an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. The founding members of the organization had a vision to ensure that local communities’ charitable programs were supported - now, and in the future. The Foundation works with many individuals, families, businesses and organizations to establish endowment funds that will provide grant awards for years to come. To learn more, visit dbqfoundation.org/accf.
