Lions Club Donates Cardiac Monitors to Support Lake Garda Emergency Services

“Doing good to others is a way to do good for oneself, because helping others helps us improve ourselves; receiving is wonderful, but giving is even more so, according to the sublime quote with which writer and philanthropist Dominique La Pierre closes “La città della gioia”, one of his best and most read books: ‘Everything that is not donated is lost’”.

Thus, Maurizio Zanelli, president of Lions Club Vittoria Alata, commented on the donation of two cardiac monitors and two semi-automatic defibrillators to Valtenesi Soccorso, an association of 70 volunteers engaged 24 hours a day in emergency services across seven municipalities entirely free of charge.

The delivery of these essential tools, which will equip the ambulances, took place during a convivial evening at the Desenzano hotel.

Problems and Challenges of Emergency Services

The event also served as an opportunity to discuss the numerous issues faced by voluntary civil service, whose economic, human, and social costs are significant.

Did you know, for example, that a fully equipped ambulance costs between 140 and 150 million lira? Ivan Bazoli, president of the volunteers, explained the situation.

It was revealed that Lake Garda itself remains underserved, particularly regarding certain services such as hyperbaric chambers, which are essential in a lakeside area.

We also learned about the difficulties faced by non-profit assistance organizations, often hindered by the distrust of professional categories that perceive volunteer work as unfair competition.

Providing medical and health equipment is the task of public administrations, but qualified private volunteer organizations can offer complementary and integrative support – not competition – to public services.

Commitment and Support from Organizations

Guido Rigoni, secretary of Lions Vittoria Alata (the club was founded in 1995 on the initiative of, among others, Stefano Sorlini), reaffirmed the Lions’ commitment to enhancing social and welfare activities.

President Zanelli assured the Club’s support and assistance to help Garda’s volunteer initiatives. a. ch.