Picking For A Cause
August 23, 2018
‘Hope Field’ Proceeds Go To Cardiac Monitors
By PETE DELEA
Daily News-Record 8/23/18
HARRISONBURG — In the next few years, Rockingham County firefighters will replace their cardiac monitors.
With a price tag of roughly $ 1.3 million, they’ll need to do it in phases.
This weekend, local residents have a chance to chip in through the Frazier family and Frazier Quarry’s third annual “Hope Field” event, during which people are invited to pick sunflowers from among a field filled with the bright yellow blooms.
Bibb Frazier, 58, said the RMH Foundation suggested the heart monitors as a good initiative to raise money for.
“It resonated with me because I had a heart attack last year,” Frazier said.
During the event, people can pick sunflowers for free, but donations of $5 per person are suggested. There also will be T-shirts and bouquets of sunflowers and Queen Anne’s Lace available to purchase.
Proceeds from the event will go toward purchasing the monitors.
The field is at 2771 Spotswood Trail, just east of Harrisonburg. Organizers say motorists should expect congestion in the area; electronic signs will direct drivers where to park.
The field will be open Friday from noon to 6 p. m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6p.m.; and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon.
Frazier said he’s expecting several thousand people to pick flowers. Last year, roughly 8,500 people attended.
Chief Jeremy Holloway of Rockingham County Fire and Rescue said the company that makes the department’s current monitors will stop producing the model and its parts in 2020.
The county must replace 52 monitors, which cost about $25,000 each.
The machines, Holloway said, are essential. They send critical data to Sentara RMH Medical Center while patients are still in the ambulance.
If the devices detect a life- threatening condition, medical staff can get a head start preparing.
“They can alert their stroke team while they are on the way to the hospital,” Holloway said. “It’s proven to be a life- saving measure.”
Jeremy Wampler, chief of Grottoes Rescue Squad, said his department purchased three new monitors and began using them in January.
Wampler said they are already making a difference.
So far this year, he said, the monitors have identified eight patients having heart attacks. Last year, without the equipment, EMTs identified four.
He said the machines are either doing a great job identifying heart attacks or more people are having heart attacks.
“I’m leaning toward the first [option],” Wampler said.
Holloway said he’s grateful the Frazier family chose to support fire and rescue.
“The Frazier family has always supported the local community — not just fire and rescue — but all charities,” he said. “They’ve always been a big supporter of fire and EMS.”
Rose Persinger and Matt Holden, both Eastern Mennonite University students from Newport News, pick sunflowers east of Harrisonburg in September 2016 during the “Hope Field” fundraiser. This year’s event, which takes place this weekend, will benefit Rockingham County Fire and Rescue.
By PETE DELEA
Daily News-Record 8/23/18
HARRISONBURG — In the next few years, Rockingham County firefighters will replace their cardiac monitors.
With a price tag of roughly $ 1.3 million, they’ll need to do it in phases.
This weekend, local residents have a chance to chip in through the Frazier family and Frazier Quarry’s third annual “Hope Field” event, during which people are invited to pick sunflowers from among a field filled with the bright yellow blooms.
Bibb Frazier, 58, said the RMH Foundation suggested the heart monitors as a good initiative to raise money for.
“It resonated with me because I had a heart attack last year,” Frazier said.
During the event, people can pick sunflowers for free, but donations of $5 per person are suggested. There also will be T-shirts and bouquets of sunflowers and Queen Anne’s Lace available to purchase.
Proceeds from the event will go toward purchasing the monitors.
The field is at 2771 Spotswood Trail, just east of Harrisonburg. Organizers say motorists should expect congestion in the area; electronic signs will direct drivers where to park.
The field will be open Friday from noon to 6 p. m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6p.m.; and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon.
Frazier said he’s expecting several thousand people to pick flowers. Last year, roughly 8,500 people attended.
Chief Jeremy Holloway of Rockingham County Fire and Rescue said the company that makes the department’s current monitors will stop producing the model and its parts in 2020.
The county must replace 52 monitors, which cost about $25,000 each.
The machines, Holloway said, are essential. They send critical data to Sentara RMH Medical Center while patients are still in the ambulance.
If the devices detect a life- threatening condition, medical staff can get a head start preparing.
“They can alert their stroke team while they are on the way to the hospital,” Holloway said. “It’s proven to be a life- saving measure.”
Jeremy Wampler, chief of Grottoes Rescue Squad, said his department purchased three new monitors and began using them in January.
Wampler said they are already making a difference.
So far this year, he said, the monitors have identified eight patients having heart attacks. Last year, without the equipment, EMTs identified four.
He said the machines are either doing a great job identifying heart attacks or more people are having heart attacks.
“I’m leaning toward the first [option],” Wampler said.
Holloway said he’s grateful the Frazier family chose to support fire and rescue.
“The Frazier family has always supported the local community — not just fire and rescue — but all charities,” he said. “They’ve always been a big supporter of fire and EMS.”
Rose Persinger and Matt Holden, both Eastern Mennonite University students from Newport News, pick sunflowers east of Harrisonburg in September 2016 during the “Hope Field” fundraiser. This year’s event, which takes place this weekend, will benefit Rockingham County Fire and Rescue.
