Back in 1947 after several incidents when injured people waited an unreasonable amount of time for the city ambulance, the humanitarian idea of providing ambulance service, by volunteer members of the community was germinated in the Whitestone Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW started the ball rolling, by forming a committee, including all civic, fraternal and veteran organizations.

A corporation was formed to later be known as the Whitestone Community Volunteer Ambulance Service Inc. All members of this organization were residents of the town of Whitestone including the communities of  Beechurst, Malba, Robinswood and Clearview and were volunteers. These members began an intensive fund raising campaign both to businesses and door to door. This resulted in the the purchase of  a brand new 1948 Cadillac Ambulance. The first aid training was conducted under the auspices of the American Red Cross and Mr. Ralph Gode, our first honorary member, was the instructor. The first ambulances were garaged at  Gleason's Funeral Home, and Mr. Gleason very generously gave us twenty-four hour use of his telephone. Above the garage a "ready room" was built so that the members could sleep close to the ambulances. The wheelchairs, crutches, and hospital beds were stored at the Herold's garage, including a station wagon, purchased in 1953, that was used to transport this equipment. Eventually it was traded in for a second ambulance.

In 1955,the building on 150th Street was purchased. In 1993 this building was named in honor of Grace Herold on her 90th birthday, for the 45 years of active service to out organization. Through many donations, and with many hours of freely donated labor from the members a garage was built. Finally we were under one roof. As time went on addition property was purchased. Meeting rooms and an additional garage, used to house the third ambulance, was constructed again through the generosity of the community and the labor of our members. Even this was proving to be to small to house the organization, an extension, including a second floor provided more space for meetings, first aid instruction and offices.

The trophies, displayed in our main meeting room, received from first aid and ambulance competition attest to our first aid proficiency. Our training, vehicles and equipment are always state-of-the-art to offer the residents of our community the finest emergency service in keeping with the standards that were set in 1947. For additional information-   Info@wvac11357.com