The Need

In tiny Michigan, N.D., a volunteer ambulance service has responded to local emergencies since it was established in 1972. For Natalie Schultz, those calls are a vivid memory from childhood. Natalie’s parents both went through the training to become volunteer EMTs in the small town, which at the time had a population of about 500 people.

“Both of my parents carried beepers,” Natalie recalls. “They would be on call one or two days a week and one weekend a month. I remember sitting down to the dinner table, their beeper would go off, and they would go respond to a call. You don’t know who they’re responding to. It could be family, it could be friends, it could be anybody.”

While Natalie no longer has a home base or family in Michigan, her connection to the community remains strong. When she went home for Michigan Days last year, Natalie saw volunteers conducting CPR classes, training on AED equipment and checking child car seats. She introduced herself and thanked them for what they were doing – then reminded herself to donate her Pay It Forward gift to the Michigan Ambulance Service in 2024.

The Impact

Natalie contacted the ambulance service manager, telling her, “I have something I’d love to give you.”

“She was beyond excited to receive this gift,” says Natalie, adding that the service operates on a very tight budget – and continues to rely on volunteer EMTs as well as the volunteer fire department.

“I thought about my mom and dad and how proud they’d be,” Natalie comments. “Seeing it firsthand with my parents and knowing, you know, it truly is a sacrifice. You never know when you’re going to need it, and it has to continue to keep the town growing and alive.”

For Natalie, this Pay It Forward gift was a chance to remember her parents’ time and effort – and thank all of today’s volunteers as well.

Through the Pay It Forward program, Bell gives employees money each year to donate to people in need and causes they care about.