Community invited to meet ‘Erv’

    PRESQUE ISLE – A special public event will be held Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. in the food court of the Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle when McCain Foods USA, Inc. presents a $75,000 Emergency Response Vehicle (known as ERV) to the Aroostook County Branch of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter. The snow date for the presentation, which is part of the Mall’s “winter sidewalk sale” activities, is Jan. 23.     ERV is a state-of-the-art vehicle complete with GPS, radio communication and logistical capabilities, and is the first of 10 being donated by McCain Foods to communities around the country. It is designed to be a mobile service center capable of distributing food, beverages, materials and equipment anywhere it is needed in Aroostook County, throughout the state, and nation during an emergency. It is capable of making deliveries to people isolated by storms or power outages, and completing trips to investigate the welfare of residents during those emergencies. ERV will be driven by local, trained Red Cross volunteers and staff.
    “Having ERV right here in the county helps ensure that the Pine Tree Chapter is ready to meet the disaster response needs of people in all 65 Aroostook communities. I would like to thank McCain Foods for their generosity and longstanding support of the Red Cross,” said Joyce Knorr, local Red Cross Branch Manager. “We also want to thank Patti Crooks and the Aroostook Centre Mall for their contributions of space, publicity efforts, and entertainment plans for this wonderful event, and the Presque Isle Fire Department for helping ERV to look its best. There will be entertainment, demonstrations, refreshments, and fun for everyone. We invite everyone to come join us in welcoming ERV to Aroostook County.”
    Making the presentation at the mall will be McCain Foods USA’s Easton Plant Manager Dan Paradis. Accepting the keys for the local Red Cross will be Knorr and Mike Brown II, lead disaster volunteer. Also participating in the event will be McCain Foods staff, Aroostook County disaster volunteers and advisory council members, representatives of the national office of the American Red Cross, Pine Tree Chapter Executive Director Suzan Bell, local dignitaries from communities throughout the county, and the media.
    Live music will be provided by “Turning Point” and refreshments will be provided by Tim Horton’s and the Aroostook Centre Mall to everyone who attends.
    The public is also invited to “Buy a Mall Floor Tile” in support of the Aroostook County Disaster Relief Services. The tile can be purchased for a minimum donation of $5, and can be inscribed with an individual’s name or in memory of a loved one.
    ERV will be ready to show and shine at the mall Tuesday, Jan. 22 through Saturday, Jan. 26. The public presentation follows a ceremony earlier in the day at the McCain Foods facility in Easton for plant employees.