Saline MRC buys EMU with Monsanto grant

From left to right, Terry Beeler and Todd Gann of Monsanto; Tom Butner of the company that sold the EMU; Dan Lubich, also of Monsanto; Greg Milliron, Pam Deutch, Russ Donnell, Louise England, Jim Steinmetz, Carolann Marsha and Jim Chevalier, Saline Medical Reserve Corps personnel. On Friday, Sept. 4, Monsanto officials present Saline MRC members with a check for $9,000 to pay for the all-terrain vehicle, EMU, also pictured. (Contributed photo).

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"The Saline Medical Reserve Corps is pleased to team up with the Monsanto Fund to address the needs of the community," MRC Coordinator Russ Donnell said in the release.

The vehicle, named EMU, will be used to transport equipment, personnel or victims in the event of a natural disaster, Donnell said. It can also be used to help search for lost persons.

"We are a rural community and have a need for an all-terrain utility vehicle to assist with search-and-rescue missions or responses in rural areas," Donnell said.

Donnell also said MRC plans to make the vehicle available to other emergency personnel in the county, such as police and fire departments, if the need arises.

Saline MRC has more than 40 members, all volunteers, including health care professionals and law enforcement personnel. Volunteer Louise England helped write the grant application for the Monsanto Fund.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net