In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week™ to celebrate EMS professionals and the important work they do in our nation's communities. National Emergency Medical Services Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's frontline.

Ways to Show Your Support

Appreciation Wall: Share Your Gratitude and Support

During EMS Week, we invite you to help us fill our station with your kind words. If a member of our team has made an impact on your life, or if you simply want to share a note of encouragement, please use the form linked below to send a message of thanks.

How it works:

• Submit Your Message: Fill out the online form, or mail your note of gratitude.
• Displayed with Pride: We will post these messages on a dedicated Appreciation Wall inside the EMS Headquarters for our providers to read.

Your support is the greatest motivation for our team. Take a moment to share a message and help us turn our station walls into a testament of community spirit.

Bottle Drive: Powered by CLYNK to Give

This EMS Week, we’re making it easier than ever to support the Benevolent Association through our CLYNK to Give partnership. Whether you’re already a "CLYNKer" or want to start today, every bottle and can you donate helps fund our community initiatives.

There are two simple ways to participate:

Option 1: Use Your Existing CLYNK Account

If you already have a personal CLYNK account and use your own green bags, you can donate your balance directly through the app or website.

• Log In: Open the CLYNK app or visit clynk.com.
• Navigate to Donations: Select the "Donations" tab from the menu.
• Search & Select: Search for Colonie EMS Benevolent Association and choose the amount you wish to donate from your current balance.

Option 2: Pick Up a Pre-Labeled Bag

Don't have an account? No problem! We’ve taken care of the registration for you.

• Pick Up: Stop by the vestibule at EMS Station 1 (312 Wolf Rd) to grab a free, pre-labeled bag,
• Fill It: Fill the bag with your redeemable bottles and cans at your own pace.
• Drop Off: Take the full bag to any CLYNK kiosk (located at most Hannaford Supermarkets), scan the tag to open the door, and drop it in.

Because the bags are pre-labeled with our association’s barcode, the funds will be automatically routed to our account.

Make a Direct Impact: Online Donations

If you would like to contribute directly to our mission, we accept secure donations through our website. Your contributions to the Benevolent Association directly support our members and allow us to continue our community outreach and professional development programs.

• Quick & Secure: Use the link below to make a one-time or recurring donation
• Where it Goes: Funds are used for programs that support our member's wellbeing, resiliency, and mental health

Make a Lifesaving Gift: Blood Donation

Prehospital blood transfusion is essential for patients with severe bleeding as it saves lives and improves health outcomes. Rapid blood replacement helps prevent death from blood loss and extends the critical time window for effective treatment. Early blood transfusion can also reduce complications and improve survival rates for critically injured patients.

Why your donation matters:

• Severe bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death in trauma and medical emergencies.
• One blood donation can help up to three people in critical need.
• EMS agencies around the country are increasingly using prehospital blood transfusions to save lives before patients reach the hospital.

Become a part of the lifesaving work Colonie EMS and EMS agencies across the country do every day by donating blood through the regional EMS blood drive.

We are incredibly grateful for your support, not just this week but throughout the entire year, and we look forward to celebrating EMS Week with you. If you or your organization would like to explore other ways to show your support, we'd love to hear from you — please don't hesitate to reach out to us.