EMT carnival fun for the whole family

Cassandra Matney
Posted 8/29/18

Previous EMT members were presented with awards for their dedication to the service. Left to Right: Dave Hamaker, EMT Director Cory Wilcox, Dale Jordan, and Willy Wilcox. Photobombing left, Steve Kant. Photo/Cassandra Matney

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EMT carnival fun for the whole family

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Balloons, popcorn, a petting zoo, games, and cotton candy…when combined together they’re the makings of a carnival to be enjoyed by the entire family—and that’s just what Lusk had last weekend during the EMT carnival benefit. “I’m satisfied” stated Wilcox on the days’ events, “It was a good turnout for our first annual. It was good to see the EMS service be involved amongst the community”. 

Families were able to stroll downtown to the city shop parking lot where various booths were set up,  including information on flight for life insurance,  a dunk-tank, and balloons with the appropriate theme ‘EMS Strong: Stronger Together”. In the caboose park was a bouncy house and a giant water slide for kids, wheel chair races came before the cot races, and, throughout the day, three EMT demonstrations were given by the Niobrara County Ambulance Service. These demonstrations came at no particular time and challenged the EMT’s on scene to determine what was wrong with the patient, assisting the patient, and, finally, loading them on the stretcher and taking them to the ambulance. Following an auction, live music was performed by Nate Smith and the Cattywhompus Band—and that is just a quick overview of the day arranged by committee members Verlene Matney, Monica Wilcox, Lori Himes, and Merri Keller. “…We really wanted a family fun day and I believe it was just that,” shared Verlene Matney, the committee chairwoman. Musical Hands were also there to kick things off right, starting with the National Anthem at noon. 

A ‘dunk tank auction’ was held that afternoon, where-in Cory Wilcox, Niobrara County Ambulance Service Director, was auctioned off three times from the dunk tank hot seat. Wilcox was purchased first by Bruce Himes followed by The Silver Dollar Bar, and finally Danese Reed. Each buyer was given ten balls to try and hit the target that would send Wilcox into the water filled tank. He made a splash each time—even if the ball didn’t make contact with the target. When asked what he thought about being in the dunk tank, Wilcox replied, “It was refreshing” with a big grin.

Special EMT Awards were given out in a presentation made by Wilcox to honor some of the early EMT’s in Niobrara County. Some folks that were instrumental in getting the ambulance service up and running within Niobrara County included: Kester Akers, Helen Oats, Vern Modine, Dave Leimser, Dave Hamaker, Dale Jordan, Willy Wilcox, Chuck Smith, and Ronnie Matthews, among others. At one time, the “bus”—as an ambulance vehicle is otherwise referred to—was a station wagon and the service was run under the direction of the fire department. In good cheer, members of the current Lusk Volunteer Fire Department were also on hand to assist with the filling of the dunk tank and partake in the days’ events. Following a short speech, Wilcox honored some of those that had special meaning to the ambulance service, including Dave Hamaker,  who was an EMT for 29 years and Dale Jordan, who probably remembers the station wagon ambulance.

And then there were the raffles. The quilt raffle, made by Wanda Brewster, was won by Ron Pfister and the 50/50 Split the Pot—with a split of $461.00, was won by Jackie Bredthauer who donated back $200.00. When all was said and done, between the days’ events, the auctions, the raffles, and donations, a rough estimate of $10,500.00 had been raised for the Niobrara County Ambulance Service. “This event could not have happened without the huge community support, all the volunteers, all the donations, all those who put the work and effort into making it work. We really appreciate all those who came and enjoyed the day…We’re looking forward to and already planning next year” commented Matney.