In the Community
Pistoresi Ambulance Donates Christmas Trees to local State Prison
It has become a long standing tradition at Central California Women’s Facility and Valley State Prison (VSP) to provide holiday joy for inmates who are not able to spend time with their families.
Monte Pistoresi, President of Pistoresi Ambulance, and his son Ted provide Christmas trees for the VSP female offenders, along with those housed at Central California Women’s Facility. Although VSP is in the midst of the scheduled transition to an all male facility, it was important to Warden Davis to continue the tradition.
Warden Davis stated, “Although we are transitioning VSP to a male facility, it is important to continue to recognize the female offender population. Mr. Pistoresi has provided these Christmas trees for over 20 years. It is my expectation that the remaining female offenders continue to receive the rehabilitative programs, services and activities they are accustom to.
I want to personally thank Mr. Pistoresi for his continued support and generous gift during this holiday season.” Although the number of trees needed has diminished, the thought still remains to provide a little holiday cheer. Christmas trees are provided for each female offender housing unit and the visiting rooms.
Monte Pistoresi Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
Helping people is tantamount to Monte Pistoresi. Born in Miramonte, California to Pete and Irene Pistoresi, he spent his childhood growing up in Madera County.
In 1942, the owner of a mortuary company who ran a local ambulance service asked Pete Pistoresi, if they could leave their ambulance at his automobile dealership and towing service. In doing so Pete would also need to operate the ambulance service for “a few weeks”. The “few weeks” stretched into months and months into years.
Monte Pistoresi left home to attend the University of Santa Clara and to serve in the United States Army. Upon his return he started working at the family’s Chevrolet dealership where he was the business manager and took on the responsibility of running the ambulance service. In 1981, Monte became the sole proprietor of Pistoresi Ambulance Service and has served the citizens of Madera with great care for over 26 years.
Throughout his career there have been countless stories of great meaning to Monte. Most often it has been those patients who were in cardiac arrest and responded to his treatment resulting in recovery. In 1984, a friend of his collapsed; her heart had stopped. Monte provided treatment, she fully recovered and for many years, on July 27, they would get together on her birthday to celebrate the life that he had saved.
Pistoresi expresses that his success is due to the many blessings that God has provided him throughout his life which includes his tremendous family: Leona, his wife of 48 years, and his four children: Tim, Michael, Patti, Ted and their families which include seven wonderful grandchildren. He also acknowledges with gratitude the importance of his friends, great employees, and the ability to work together with all the organizations that make up the Madera emergency response and healthcare system.
Over 45 years ago when Monte ran his first ambulance call he was overwhelmed at the impact it made on him in being able to help someone in need. He knew at that very moment that he would give of himself to others and that this would be the key to a fulfilling life. Through his inspiration and contributions he has become a ‘heartbeat’ of our community.
Monte Pistoresi has unselfishly established himself as a true humanitarian of our community through his active involvement and generosity. He has been involved with a number of organizations including but not limited to: Madera Chamber of Commerce, Madera Community Hospital Foundation from 1990-1998, Madera Community Hospital Board of Trustees 1998-2008, Madera Kiwanis Club, Golden Valley Chamber of Commerce, Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce, Madera Elks, Madera Chapter of the NAACP, Madera County Emergency Medical Care Committee, Madera Linkage Foundation, Madera County Action Agency, Women’s Prison Citizens Advisory Committee, and the City of Madera Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. His community activities include the Madera Academic Decathlon, MLK, Jr. Celebration Committee, Children’s Hospital Central California Kids Day and Holiday Toy Drive. He has also been an active sponsor of Madera Babe Ruth League, Madera Little League, Madera Youth Soccer League, Madera Bobby Sox, Madera High School Football and Baseball, Madera Police Officers Association, Madera Community Hospital Foundation, Second Missionary Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, Jesse Owens Games, Madera City & County Firefighters, Sober Grad, Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, Trees for Charity, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and the Alegria Guild.
His dedication to Madera and giving to others has not gone unnoticed. Monte has been recognized and received accolades as: the 1995 Madera Chamber of Commerce Salute to Education’s Businessperson of the Year; the Apostolic Blessing Support of St. Joachim’s in 1996; 1996 Citizen of the Year by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 1997 Madera Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award; Kiwanis Distinguished Service Award in 2000; the 2001 Valley Children’s Kid’s Day Award; the 2001 Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award; received the Humanitarian Award by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee in 2003; and was the 2005 Volunteer of the Year awarded by the City of Madera Parks and Recreation Department.
As a youngster growing up, Monte may not have known how he would bring such happiness to others, but there was one thing he did know — the game of baseball. Since 1963 he has been involved in coaching Little League and for the last 25 years has been an umpire. His passion for the game is evident in the many hours he has spent coaching, umpiring, and passing on his love of the game.
Through Monte’s care and compassion, his love for helping others, has touched and strengthened the very heart of Madera. Our vital signs are good. Thanks to his continued care of our community the beat goes on.