Hatzolah of Mill Basin/Canarsie held its annual members and family BBQ on Tuesday evening, bringing together volunteers, their families, community leaders and supporters for an evening honoring the dedication of Hatzolah members and their families to the community.

A highlight of the evening came when Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso announced that his office is allocating funding to cover the full cost of a brand-new ambulance for Hatzolah of Mill Basin.

Reynoso told the crowd that the Mill Basin ambulance follows previous Borough Hall commitments to fund new ambulances for Hatzolah divisions in Williamsburg and Boro Park.

“Two years ago, I made a commitment to Hatzolah in Williamsburg that I would give them a brand-new ambulance, and I did that,” Reynoso said. “The following year, Borough Park gave me a call and said, ‘I heard somebody’s getting a new ambulance. I want one.’ So we gave Borough Park one.”

Reynoso joked that word of the previous allocations eventually reached Mill Basin through Mill Basin Hatzolah board member Gil Cygler, whom the borough president praised for his persistent advocacy on behalf of the organization.

“Gil, who calls my office 10 times a week to make sure the money is where it needs to be, that’s the type of effort that people need to make to really affect meaningful change in people’s lives,” Reynoso said. “Gil, as a board member, you’re worth your weight in gold. Thank you so much for everything you do.”

“And this year, we’ve been able to allocate one new ambulance to Mill Basin Hatzolah,” Reynoso announced to applause. “So congratulations to you all from Borough Hall.”

Sources tell YWN that Reynoso’s allocation will cover the entire cost of the new ambulance, which has already been ordered and is expected to arrive, b’ezras Hashem, by next summer. Mill Basin Hatzolah board member Gil Cygler played a major role in securing the funding, with Reynoso’s senior advisor, Yanky (Jacob) Eisdorfer, also instrumental in helping bring the funding for the new ambulance to fruition.

Reynoso additionally acknowledged Assemblyman Kalman Yeger for previously matching a Borough Hall commitment toward another Hatzolah ambulance, noting the significant investment that has been made in new Hatzolah emergency vehicles across Brooklyn.

The borough president used his remarks to praise Hatzolah’s lifesaving mission and the willingness of its volunteers to respond to anyone in need, regardless of background.

“A lot of people don’t know the work that Hatzolah does,” Reynoso said. “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you are, volunteers are going to show up to help save your life. They don’t ask how much money you have, where you live, what you look like or what religion you’re from. If you need your life to be saved, they will show up.”

Reynoso also praised Hatzolah’s rapid response and thanked its volunteers for the critical work they perform throughout Brooklyn.

The annual BBQ, held at the home of the Shasho family, honored Hatzolah of Mill Basin’s members and their families for their dedication and the countless hours they devote throughout the year to responding to emergencies and serving the broader community.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)