Elkhart Rotary Club March 25 - Medix Specialty Vehicles

 
On Monday, March 25 we welcomed Rob Eichorst, VP of U.S. Sales for Medix Specialty Vehicles.
At Medix Specialty Vehicles, they save lives as safely, effectively, and efficiently as possible. Medix was founded in January 2001 in Elkhart, Indiana by Thomas Moleski and Floyd “Lacey” Lowery. What started as a market-responsive need to lower manufacturing costs has grown into a mission to deliver the ambulance industry’s highest performance value. Nothing is safer, more effective, or more efficient than a first responder inside a Medix ambulance. 
 
Rob shared an amazing story: Operation Air Train. Here is the article from The Wall Street Journal:
Operation Air Train had one mission. It sounded impossible.
Americans wanted to get ambulances to Israel during a war. That meant doing something they’ve always done in a way they’ve never done it.
Yoav Halper’s phone rang on the worst Saturday morning of his life with a call that he was expecting. It was a few hours after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 when Halper first heard from his contacts at Magen David Adom, the country’s national ambulance and paramedic organization. They needed as many ambulances as they could get as fast as they could get them—and they knew just the person to call. To continue to the full article visit: https://afmda.org/news/operation-air-train-had-one-mission-it-sounded-impossible/
 
 
Rob answered questions from the club and indicated that since the October 7 attack on Israel, over 100 ambulances have been delivered. There are 400 more on order!
Build time for different models of ambulances vary. Medix can build 12 Type 2 ambulances per week for Israel. Type 1 and Type 3 ambualances take longer, those are the box-style you're used to seeing here and are more complicated. 
 
Rob and his team brought an ambulance to Matterhorn for show and tell!
 
 
 
For more about Medix Specialty Vehicles visit: https://medixambulance.com/
Rotary Foundation Chair Howard Edwards and President Julie Cotton presented two Paul Harris Fellow awards today.
Tom Neat received two Paul Harris Fellow pins. One pin in honor of Thomas R. Forrest and one for Dr. Rita Forrest. 
Dick Brotherson received his Paul Harris Fellow+6 award posthumously. A single ruby indicates the 'Plus 6' distinction.
 
 

Running List of Rotary Event Announcements 

Rotarians are an integral and engaged part of our active community! Here’s a list of upcoming events represented by Rotarians from the Elkhart Rotary Club. If you’d like more information, contact the Rotarian listed for the event or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com and your message will be forwarded to them. Are you a Rotarian with an event to share? Put it in the format below and email to Eric Garton, he’ll add it to the list.

  • Tuesday, March 26, at 6 p.m. The 4th Annual Fathers Matter Forum. DJ Construction and the Community Foundation of Elkhart County have partnered on a special event. We are bringing in, nationally recognized speaker and focus of the documentary, “Undefeated”, Bill Courtney, to discuss the fatherless epidemic in our country. Bill has shown that by stepping up and using your abilities, you can make a massive impact and change the trajectory of the lives of young people right in our communities. Bill’s story is inspiring, and we would love to invite you to come hear it. Information on the event can be found in the attached pdf. Putting a dent in the fatherless epidemic is DJ’s Community Impact Purpose and we would love to have you come, attend, and bring your friends to this event. This is a free event looking to raise awareness of the fatherless epidemic not a fundraiser with a monetary expectation. Contact: Dustin Miller. Here is a link to register if you would like to attend: https://djconstruction.com/fathersmatter 

  • Thursday, April 18 at 5 p.m. Thirsty Thursday - come enjoy a drink and fellowship with fellow Rotarians and guests. Come on, come all, drop in 5-6 p.m. Location: TBD. Contact: Peter Norton

  • Friday, May 3, early afternoon exact time TBD. Celebration of Life for Richard "Dick" Brotherson at First Presbyterian Church followed by an Open House at Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Dick was a 55-year Rotarian and loved Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Contact Eric Garton.

  • May 10-18. Rotary International Service Trip. Two service aspects: distribute eye glasses from an eye clinic now happening in San Isidro and also to work with Peace Corps volunteers to distribute books in connection with Dickerson Literacy Initiative in an area along the coast. The group will be limited to 12 participants, not all from Elkhart Rotary. Contact: Doug Risser for more details as the trip and costs develop.

  • Saturday, May 11, 9:30 a.m. Girls on the Run 5k. Location: Trinity United Methodist Church, 2715 East Jackson Blvd., Elkhart. Volunteers help ensure our end-of-season 5K Celebration is possible. If you’re interested check out the details at https://www.girlsontherunmichiana.org/5k-elkhart and sign up today. Contact: Julie Cotton.

  • Saturday, June 1, 7 p.m. Stand-Up for CCS. Join us at the historic Bristol Opera House for an evening of crazy funny comedians -- headlined by Mike Armstrong! Mike has appeared on HBO, Fox, and CMT and will be forever known as the Ex-Cop on the Bob & Tom radio show. Hosted by Corey Mann, the event also features comedians Michael Downing, Elise Davies, and Scott Callahan. Doors open at 6 p.m. Visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/36247/production/1192983 for details and tickets Contact: Keith Sarber.