By Frank Rizzo
MONTICELLO — Charity and praise were doled out along with fine food and drink when MediCar of Monticello held its second annual dinner at Mr. Willy’s recently.
Attorney Henri Shawn said the firm “filled a void in medical transportation” in Sullivan County” as he introduced co-owner David Spitzer, who served as emcee.
Though from Brooklyn, Spitzer is familiar with the county from 28 summers spent here at various bungalow colonies.
He and Richard Crawley started the service in the spring of 2010 with two vehicles and now have over 20.
A NYS certified EMT with long experience in the emergency services, Spitzer noted in an interview earlier this year that he “wanted to do something that hasn’t been done before—give the people on Medicaid decent transportation.”
As he looked over the packed house that Sunday night—well over 100 people—Spitzer noted MediCar has “revolutionized medical transportation [in the county]… by putting our customers first, and treating them with respect.”
Spitzer praised his staff, including Reia Schiff and Ken Christopher.
“He’s the greatest dispatcher in Sullivan County, juggling dozens of patients per day,” Spitzer said of Christopher.
Along with success came involvement with worthy causes.
“Sure we want to make money, but it’s more than that… we’re about helping the community,” Crawley told the Democrat earlier this year, listing some of the company’s charitable involvements.
At the dinner, Spitzer handed out $10,000, equally split between Community Unity, the Monticello HS baseball program, the Village of Monticello Senior Citizen Center and the Sheriff’s Office DARE program.
Mr. Willy’s owner Bill Sipos accepted for Community Unity, the organization he formed to aid four groups helping the less fortunate in the county.
“He cares about Sullivan County and he cares about the community and we’re really lucky to have him,” Spitzer said of Sipos.
Monticello HS baseball coach Mike Marra appreciated the money, which will be used to fund a spring training trip.
“We feel it is very important for Sullivan County to have this baseball team [succeed],” Spitzer had said.
Marra pointed out that “we are very fortunate to have a great booster club and have revived American Legion baseball.
“We are,” he added. “the only high school program to go on a training trip to Florida.”
Senior Citizen Center President Roz Sharoff said the donation would enable the Center to install an automatic door at the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center location.
Sheriff Mike Schiff said the DARE program was crucial in “helping our kids fight drugs.
“Our DARE officers go far beyond the scope of duty. They do a great job… and we need to fund many things that are not funded by the government,” he added.