Like many small business, Plainsboro Rescue Squad requires basic supplies — such as paper and toner cartridges — to do its job. Unlike most small business, however, the Rescue Squad’s emergency ambulance services are free. Luke Xu, owner of Printing Supplies USA at 666 Plainsboro Road, is doing his part to help the nonprofit by donating toner cartridges and printer drums to the squad.
“Earlier this year someone from the Rescue Squad stopped by to introduce the organization and ask for a possible donation,” says Xu. “The flyer they distributed appeared to be from an inferior cartridge they used, which might have been a cheap one bought online. As a company in this business, we are definitely in a position to help.” This year’s donation is part of a pledge to donate printing supplies as they’re needed. Chris Bell, president of the squad, is more than happy to accept them.
“On behalf of the 90 rescue squad volunteers and the people we serve, I want to thank Printing Supplies USA owner Luke Xu for the donation,” says Bell. “This support means so much more than the monetary value of the toner — it’s the removal of that cost item from our financials completely. It’s the relief and freedom of not having to find that particular money each year to buy printer supplies.”
“We spend a significant amount of our time fundraising for the squad,” says Bell. “The benefits of Luke’s donation are twofold: the direct financial savings, which will amount to hundreds of dollars a year, and the fact that we can focus our fundraising efforts in other areas.”
The Rescue Squad is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and donations are tax deductible. In addition to cash donations the squad’s list of needed goods includes office supplies, computer support, bottles of water, food, drinks, and printing paper. Services needed include sewing of patches and repairs, painting, landscaping, banking, bookkeeping, electrical, legal, and cleaning services, basic mechanical work, and cell phone service.
According the squad’s website, the group requires $150,000 to $200,000 per year to operate effectively. Plainsboro Township makes an annual contribution of $60,000, and the remainder comes through donations from individuals and corporations. Among other expenses, the Plainsboro Rescue Squad is responsible for acquiring and maintaining the ambulances and other equipment used by the paid Plainsboro Township EMS.
Because most infrastructure is paid by the Rescue Squad, the EMS have only around $5,000 per year in expenses, excluding salaries and wages, which in 2013 were budgeted at $195,500 for three full-time EMTs. Unlike the Rescue Squad, the Township EMS charge for ambulance services and generated just over $145,300 of revenue in 2012.
The Rescue Squad is entirely operated and managed by its unpaid volunteers. Started in 1974 by a group of Plainsboro residents, “for decades, the Plainsboro Rescue Squad was the only ambulance service in Plainsboro,” Bell explains. The Plainsboro Township EMS now take calls on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with back-up provided by Rescue Squad members as needed. The Rescue Squad still covers all nights and weekends.
“Luke understands how hard it can be to run a volunteer organization in our spare time,” says Bell. “He’s done what he can to help us continue to provide our medical service to Plainsboro. It’s like a family sharing the load, sharing the effort and responsibility. Luke’s business is now part of our family.”
Xu and his daughter, a fourth-grader at Millstone River School, have lived in Plainsboro for three-and-a-half years. “I had already started my business here in Plainsboro. At first I was based in the former Plainsboro library, but as my company started to grow, I moved to our current location. We now service many state and local governments and other large customers. Customer service is our top priority,” says Xu, “but helping out the local community is very important to me as well.”
“I decided to move here because of the school system, and because Plainsboro is a wonderful town. As a business owner, I am happy to help local organizations, especially one as important as the Rescue Squad. I try to volunteer my time as well. Last year I served as the vice principal of the Huaxia Chinese School here in Plainsboro, which serves approximately 600 families, and recently I also joined the Princeton Chamber of Commerce, which has a Plainsboro section,” says Xu.
Xu’s daughter is also invovled in the community. She studies kung fu with Master Zhang Jun Zhao and has participated in Chinese New Year galas at High School South and Huaxua. She has also performed in WW-P’s Got Talent. “I am very proud of her commitment,” Xu says.
“The members of the Rescue Squad that asked me for a donation had the same type of commitment. They were high schools students, accompanied by their team leader. They were very polite, very well-spoken, and clearly dedicated. That’s one of the main reasons I decided to donate printing services,” Xu explains.
Last year the Rescue Squad put in 19,164 hours to respond to more than 800 calls for help from the community. It’s that kind of commitment that inspired Xu’s donation. “I admire people who contribute their time and efforts to giving back to the community and make where we live a better place,” Xu says.
Though he’s not driving an ambulance, Xu and Printing Supplies USA are doing their part to help. Other businesses or individuals interested donating money, goods, or services should E-mail office@PlainsboroRescueSquad.org or visit www.PlainsboroRescueSquad.org.
“If every business in Plainsboro donated some goods, such as a ream or two of paper, it would save us thousands of dollars. That would really help us with our mission to provide quality emergency services to the residents of Plainsboro,” Bell says.
— Sue Roy
