By David Hurst
The Tribune-Democrat
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — For years, when MedSTAR employees boarded motorcycles to ride for those in need, paramedic Janice Keen Livingston was at their side.
Now, they’ll ride in her memory as part of a charity ride to benefit a West End park in her name.
The air medical group will give all of proceeds from their 12th annual charity motorcycle ride in August to the Janice Keen Livingston Park Memorial Fund, said Storm Nagle, MedSTAR’s pre-hospital operations manager.
“All of this holds special significance to us, because Janice and her family rode with us every year for the past 10 years on our rides,”Nagle said, calling Livingston a special person “who was truly an asset to the EMS community.”
Nagle’s MedSTAR Team at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown has 23 members, including nurses, paramedics, pilots and helicopter mechanics.
Their charity runs have generated as much as $5,000 a year in recent years, Nagle said.
The group has raised money for injured first responders or their family members. Supporting the park project seemed like a natural move, Nagle said.
The park at Garfield Street and Chandler Avenue will honor Livingston while also paying tribute to the entire region’s police, firefighters and EMTs, planners have said.
“We think the park is a great idea,” Nagle said.
City police Officer Erin Kabler, a park planner who has served as a spokesman for Livingston’s family, credited MedSTAR with lending a hand.
“They’re really stepping up,” he said.
Nagle said the route of this year’s 100-mile ride is still being finalized.
About 100 motorcycles have made the charity run in previous years, and she’s hoping for the same or better in August.
“We’re hoping this will be one of our biggest rides yet,” Nagle said.
Ride details
What: 12th annual MedSTAR Charity Motorcycle Ride to benefit Janice Keen Livingston Memorial Park Fund.
When: Aug. 15; sign-ups at 11 a.m., ride starts at noon.
Where: Richland Township Fire Department, 1321 Scalp Ave.
Cost: $20 per rider or $30 for rider and passenger.
Information: 534-9063 or 534-9256.
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©2015 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.)