‘‘The volunteers that are with LVAC do the job because they want to, because they have a passion for helping other people, because they have a drive to do good for others.’’ — Polly Thoman, LVAC dispatcher Polly Thoman sees the need for the Lancaster Volunteer Ambulance Corps from the other side of the receiver, dispatching calls to those in need.

Christmas is no exception, even when she happens to be at home. As her family engaged in the morning tradition of opening gifts this past holiday, a page went out for a cardiac arrest call, and she told her son, Matt, 24, to go, putting family time on hold until he returned. That day, LVAC ended up answering several such calls.

“I know it not only changed the lives of the families who lost loved ones, it also changed our members’ lives,” she said.

Thoman recalled these events as she recently joined about 40 community members in stuffing 40,000 envelopes for LVAC’s upcoming fund drive. Volunteers handle the task each year instead of outsourcing it to save money. Fingers wrapped in bandages due to paper cuts, she said the men and women work long hours to prepare the mailing, which seeks donations from residents.

Founded in 1953, LVAC answers thousands of calls each year – 3,500 last year alone, according to volunteer Amanda M. Popiolkowski. She added that this was the most since LVAC’s inception.

Contributions made through the annual fund drive help the organization service ambulances, purchase equipment, maintain its headquarters and garage on Embry Drive in Lancaster and provide training for its volunteers and paid support staff.

“A locally based ambulance service is truly a valuable community asset,” Popiolkowski said. “Your support is needed to keep LVAC equipped and ready.”

LVAC has five ambulances staffed by paramedics and emergency medical technicians, and the vehicles carry cardiac monitors, devices to determine carbon monoxide in the blood stream and equipment for invasive procedures such as intravenous line setups for administering medications in the field.

“LVAC members are your neighbors,” Popiolkowski said. “You can call on us when your family faces an emergency.”

As Thoman sits in what she refers to as her “fish bowl”dispatching calls, she admires the strength and professionalism the staff displays while on the job. Whether they are answering calls about children in distress or waiting to assist with an incident as large as the crash of Flight 3407 in Clarence Center, she said that the volunteers drop everything to help.

“It takes a special breed of person to do this job,” she said. “The volunteers that are with LVAC do the job because they want to, because they have a passion for helping other people, because they have a drive to do good for others.”

Thoman and Popiolkowski thanked those who worked Aug. 17 and 18 to stuff envelopes, adding that any little bit a resident can contribute would be appreciated and would go toward keeping LVAC in operation, allowing volunteers to continue serving the community.

“What perks do we get from volunteering at LVAC?” Thoman asked. “Mine personally are that I leave the building knowing that I helped someone, somewhere. We are a close knit family, in this thing together all for the same reason, community spirit.”

e-mail: LJohnson@beenews.com