Prescott eNews

Bob Greninger and Dr. Bill Makela are on the road - to El Salvador. And they're traveling in a full style as they drive a donated ambulance from Life Line Ambulance to Prescott's sister city, Suchitoto.

Since Suchitoto became Prescott's official sister city, several people have gone to visit the El Salvadoran community. When Suchitoto celebrated it's 150th Anniversary, a delegation from Prescott went to join in the city's celebrations: Councilwoman Mary Ann Suttles, Councilwoman Lora Loaps and her husband, City Manager Steve Norwood and his wife, and former Prescott Police Chief Randy Oaks and his wife. (See: Prescott Joins Suchitoto in Celebrating Its 150th Anniversary.)During the El Salvador nation elections, Greninger went to observe the voting. And Enrique Melendez, Honorary Consul from El Salvador, has a home here in Prescott.

Everyone who has been to Suchitoto has returned with a report of a charming, hospitable city, full of beauty and historical significance - much like Prescott. But they've also reported that the city is not a wealthy community - as a matter of fact, they don't even have one ambulance to serve their population of nearly 25,000.

Mayor Marlin Kuykendall, a member of the Prescott Suchitoto Sister City organization, started speaking with Life Line Ambulance CEO Cheryl Smith even before he became mayor, about possibly donating an ambulance to a needy community south of the border. And Smith came through, with not one, but two vehicles.

Once the donation details were firmed up, Greninger and Makela agreed to drive the ambulance the 3000 miles through Mexico to Suchitoto. They're planning quite a trip, actually, hoping to visit in several sister cities along the way. Councilwoman Tammy Linn, also the President of the Suchitoto Sister City organization, speaks with Greninger about the trip:

When asked what the domation means to Suchitoto, Melendez responded, "The ambulance donation generated through Mayor Kuykendall represents a significant contribution  to the people of our Sister City of Suchitoto . Life Line Ambulance and Glenn Kasprzyk , Chief Operations Officer as well as CEO Cheryl Smith are owed a debt of gratitude from the Salvadoran Government for this unique gift which will clearly enhance the quality level of emergency services in our Colonial and beautiful City of Suchitoto."

Greninger and Makela set out on their journey this last Thursday, February 11. If they are able, they'll be sending reports to Prescott along the way, which Prescott eNews will pass along.

 

 

 

Mayor Marlin Kuykendall thanks Cheryl Smith, CEO of Life Line Ambulance.