By Laura French
PEMBROKE, N.C. — First responders in a North Carolina town put on a car wash to raise more than $1,000 for a paramedic who was hospitalized after a medical emergency.
Pembroke Rescue Squad Paramedic Elory Locklear was taken to the hospital earlier this month after suffering a “sudden onset medical emergency,” according to squad officials. Pembroke Rescue Squad and the Town of Pembroke Fire Department soon came together to launch a fundraiser to help Locklear with medical expenses.
The fundraiser, a car wash held on Saturday at the Town of Pembroke Fire Department station, raised a total of more than $1,200 in donations from community members, according to The Robesonian. In addition to those who got their cars washed or dropped off donations at the fire station, some community members who couldn’t attend in person sent their donations online, with donations continuing to stream in throughout the weekend, according to Pembroke Rescue Squad Lt. and Fire Department Capt. Dustin Marcinsky.
Locklear was released from the hospital on Sunday and is continuing to recover at home; Marcisnky said colleagues plan to deliver the donations to Locklear on Wednesday. Locklear has been a member of the Pembroke Rescue Squad for about 10 years, and has worked in EMS for at least two decades, according to Pembroke Rescue Squad Chief Matt Locklear.
“We thank all the volunteers who came and helped out and for all of you who donated to the cause,” the Town of Pembroke Fire Department posted on Facebook Saturday afternoon. “We hope everyone will keep our Sister Elory Locklear in your prayers as she faces a long recovery ahead.