| April 1, 2010 B.C. Appreciates St. John Ambulance VICTORIA- Maple Ride-Mission MLA Marc Dalton spoke in the Legislature today to thank St. John Ambulance for their hard work and dedication to British Columbians. “I'm pleased to recognize the work of St. John Ambulance here in British Columbia over the past 127 years. As Canada's standard for excellence in first aid and CPR services, St. John Ambulance plays a valuable role in our society. The origins go back to one of the world's oldest humanitarian organizations, the Order of St. John, which began 900 years ago in Jerusalem. “Today there are 25,000 volunteers in Canada who provide an incredible two million hours of volunteer help annually, from teaching an 11-year-old how to care for children while they're babysitting to teaching a dentist CPR for health care providers, to teaching a family how to resuscitate their family pet. “St. John Ambulance trains 550,000 Canadians annually. St. John Ambulance volunteers serve communities with top-level first-aid response in health care services. “They've recognized that people can benefit physically and emotionally from regular contact with the unconditional love of a dog. With their therapy dog services, volunteer handlers and their dogs visit hospitals, senior’s residences and nursing homes on a weekly basis to help raise the spirits of those people who need it most. “In my constituency, Adriana Smith heads up our local St. John Ambulance brigade in Maple Ridge. With 25 adult and 30 cadet volunteers, it seems that whenever and wherever there are major events happening, you'll find them there, providing first-aid support for our community. “The worldwide mission of the Order of St. John is simple: to prevent and relieve sickness and injury and to act to enhance the health and well-being of people of all races and creeds anywhere in the world — a straightforward but powerful message for all.” For a complete transcript, visit the Hansard website. -30- | |
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