WESTWOOD, N.J.—Congratulations to Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps Volunteer of the Year Kris Rasmussen, who stepped up to be WVAC captain for 2016–2017 at a very busy time of his life, proving that busy people get things done.
According to WVAC PR Chair Kali Spoelstra, Rasmussen and his family moved to Westwood from Canada 10 years ago. He is a father to three children: Nicholas 13, Sophia 11, and William, 9; coaches soccer; and is cubmaster for Pack 350.
He assists his wife Corissa with her business, Three Charmed Gems, and volunteers regularly with WVAC. He does all this with a job that has him traveling frequently.
Spoelstra tells Pascack Press that Rasmussen championed increasing service hours by beginning to maintain statistics and sharing them with the corps. And he challenged more members to become EMTs.
“Kris led WVAC and the membership with quiet authority and respect for everyone’s level of competency. He is dedicated to moving the corps forward and is a positive influence, able to see all sides of a problem and come up with objective solutions,” Spoelstra says.
She adds that Rasmussen inspires members with his dedication to WVAC and his strong EMT skills.
“He has not only met every aspect of the corps qualifications set out for Volunteer of the Year nominees but he is truly deserving of the honor,” Spoelstra says.
The WVAC, founded in 1935, responded to 847 9-1-1 emergencies in Westwood and surrounding towns in 2018, operating strictly on donations and without the use of taxpayer money.
In addition to emergency response, the corps offers recycled medical equipment such as crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and commodes to the community at no charge.
For more information or to make a tax deductible donation to their annual drive to assist in the purchase of equipment, supplies, and training for members, visit westwoodvolunteerems.org.
— Staff report, with photo courtesy Kali Spoelstra