The survival of a Schuylkill County emergency organization hangs in the balance.

Recently, veterans with the Andreas VFW General George S. Patton Jr. Post 5069 donated $1,000 to Penn-Mahoning Ambulance Association.The Association covers the West Penn Township, Andreas, Mahoning Township and New Ringgold areas.Don Confer, a service officer with the VFW, said he previously talked with EMT Valerie Coombe, vice president of Penn-Mahoning Ambulance Association, about an ambulance that was damaged while on a call.Coombe said the ambulance costs a lot of money to fix.Based on their conversation, Confer was told the way things are going, the association may have about a year left."It is about life-and-death situations," Confer said."If they disband, it will take up to 25 minutes for response time."Also at that time, Confer learned that less than half of the residents sent their membership money in.As a result, Confer told Coombe that he would bring the matter up at the VFW's monthly meetings.Confer said he told the VFW members how bad things were, and after voting, all agreed to give Penn-Mahoning Ambulance the check."That money came from poppy sales from the great people of our area," he said."What was really great was to see the kids looking for change and giving their allowance as donations. It was heartwarming."Confer added that because special interest groups are always changing regulations every six months, everyone needs to be recertified, which costs money."It is so good to volunteer your heart and mind; you will feel great," he said. So, please give a part of your life to save a life. I know; I did for a long time."Anyone who would like to make donations may send them to Penn-Mahoning Ambulance Association, 1748 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold, PA 17960.