Raffle over; ambulance to be bought for Tanzanians

Published in Cumberlnad Times-News on August 20, 2008.

To the Editor:

Winner of the 1976 classic BMW, raffled to purchase an ambulance for St. Elizabeth Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania, is Jack Gallagher of Great Falls, Va., as announced by Pamela Protani, ambulance fund representative. "I spoke with Mr. Gallagher earlier today and he and his wife are terribly excited," notes Ms. Protani in an email Aug. 16.

The drawing followed 7 p.m. Mass Aug. 15, at the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes in Emmitsburg. "Stay tuned," adds Ms. Protani, "as we should be purchasing the ambulance either this week or next; and that's terribly exciting for us, as well!" An announcement and additional information will be posted on the St. Elizabeth Hospital Ambulance Fund Web site at http://www.sehafund.org/.

Need for the ambulance was mentioned by St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Director Dr. Kway to a group of visiting missionaries, under leadership of Grotto of Lourdes Chaplain Father Jack Lombardi, during their pilgrimage to Arusha in August 2007. The BMW raffle was the capstone in their year-long fundraising efforts. The car was donated by locksmith Carroll Kohler of Randallstown, who restored it over a period of four years.

Father Jack notes, "Please know that 100 percent of donations collected will go toward the purchase of the ambulance, an ambulance that will serve the sick, the needy and the poorest of the poor in Arusha, Tanzania. Asante Sana! (Swahili for thank you!)"

Nancy E. Thoerig
Mount Savage