By Stephanie Vaccaro, Staff Writer
PLAINSBORO When George Oliphant, host of the makeover show “George to the Rescue,” asked his viewers if they knew someone in need of a serious renovation, Plainsboro resident Michelle Soller said ‘yes’ and contacted the show.
But the renovation was not for herself or her neighbor, it’s for the Plainsboro Rescue Squad. Upkeep of their 641 Plainsboro Road facility relies largely on fund raising. “The meeting room and bunk area were in shambles,” said volunteer Meredith Fine. “It’s very difficult for us to put money into our building.” The main room and the bunk area were a mishmash of donated and found furniture, said Ms. Soller, an administrative volunteer since October 2010. The couches were about 20 years old and well worn. The main room also had a smattering of file cabinets, brown blinds covered the windows that would on occasion fall off when you pulled the cord and the drawers next to the sink were falling apart. “It really needed help,” said Ms. Soller. And help it is receiving.
Representatives from the show surprised the squad last Thursday with the news that it had been selected. They didn’t waste any time getting started demolition began the very next day.”They were so unbelievably fast,” said Ms. Soller, who only submitted the nomination on April 14. The volunteers were asked to relay in detail how the space is used and gauged the renovation based on its functionality. “They really tried to get an idea of how we used the room and to try to make it the most useful for our needs,” Ms. Soller said of the two rooms that are used for meetings, training and relaxing. The area also has desks and computers for the volunteers to complete their reports after going out on calls. “After we did the demolition and cleared everything out, they basically said ‘see yah,’” said Ms. Soller. The windows were covered with paper, making the reveal, scheduled for June 3, a surprise to everyone. She thought this was a way for the squad, which is all-volunteer on nights and weekends, to be recognized for its work.”This group had been on over 370 calls,” said Ms. Soller of the squad’s work in 2011. “It’s a volunteer organization and they deserved it. They do so much and they ask for nothing back. It’s just a selfless job they do and do and do and ask for nothing in return.”Ms. Moller was the first to learn of the show’s selection and shared with the show’s producer a bit about the squad, its personalities and how she got involved, which was through her son Nick who at 16 decided to become a volunteer. His service inspired her to volunteer in an administrative capacity.While the renovation is under way, the squad is operating out of the bay area, which is where the ambulances are located, as well as a small office. They have also been welcomed by the fire department in the interim.”George to the Rescue” airs on NBC at 10 on Saturday mornings. The show about the Plainsboro squad will air in either September or October.

