When someone is hurt in Weehawken and they call 911, it’s usually the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad that comes to the rescue. The squad has over 30 members on staff answering over 2,600 calls for help annually throughout Weehawken, North Hudson, and the area near the Lincoln Tunnel.
The Volunteer First Aid Squad is celebrating its 40th year of service.
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The fifth annual golf outing to support the VFAS was scheduled for Aug. 13 at the Bowling Green Golf Course but due to rain, the tournament was rescheduled to this Thursday, Aug. 27 at the same location. Residents still have a chance to sign up and take part in supporting the squad.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Captain of the VFAS, Gio Ahmad. “I’m not a very big golfer and I got into it with them because it’s just such a fun time playing.”
Amateurs are welcome. “There is no minimum on the level, and anyone can come and play. We team you up with a group of four. We’re there to have fun,” added Ahmad.
Even teenagers are invited to join. Ahmad noted that the event is also well suited for serious golfers looking for chance to compete.
Benefits of attending
The event will also include an awards dinner following the tournament, where players will have a chance to relax after hitting Bowling Green’s 18 holes.
Trophies will be awarded to those that achieve the lowest gross score, those with the highest gross score, the longest drive, and to those that hit a ball closest to the hole, to name a few.
Like last year, one of the winners will go home with a television. If a golfer is lucky or skillful enough to score a hole-in-one, they will win $10,000. The money won from the hole-in-one contest will come from an insurance company.
The ambulance
Last year, the VFAS was able to raise over $10,000 through their fourth golf tournament, which they put toward the purchase of a new ambulance for approximately $150,000. The purchase price was for an empty new ambulance with no equipment inside. Outfitting the vehicle comes at an additional cost. “A stretcher is like $4,000,” said Ahmad.
Now with their fifth tournament, the VFAS hopes to equip the ambulance.
Tickets for the event are $150 for adults and $100 for teenagers. Businesses can buy sponsorship for a hole during the event too. For more information and to sign up for the golf tournament, contact Gio Ahmad or Rob Hennigar at (201) 210-8501.
Melissa Rappaport may be reached at mrappaport@hudsonreporter.com