SKAN, June 26--Gary Robinson wanted to put his freshly hired staff to the test of a full house at his new restaurant, Tom's Pasta Garage, without subjecting paying customers to possible operational glitches. So he took the opportunity to serve a meal to the 40 or so men and women who serve Skaneateles 365 days a year in the Skaneateles Ambulance Volunteer Emergency Services (SAVES).

SAVES, which, in 1967 began its services by ferrying people with emergencies in hearses borrowed from Skaneateles' funeral homes, now employs 2 full time and 6 part time medics, because there simply aren't enough volunteers to keep the two state of the art equipped ambulances staffed and on the ready around the clock.

"We would love to have more volunteers," admits President Jorge Batlle. Would be ambulance drivers must be at least 18 years old, which is incidentally the minimum age for EMT certification. An individual who is active with SAVES, and who promises to remain in the community, continuing to serve SAVES, may be eligible to receive EMT training, with SAVES footing the bill.

50 percent of the 2 ambulance fleet has over 200,000 miles on its odometer. Mr. Batlle, noting that a new one would cost in the range of $100,000, says "Financial gifts and donations are also very welcome."

SAVES responds to some 750 calls annually. Billy Vivenizo, the Director of Operations for SAVES, invites those interested in supporting SAVES with their time or money to call him at (315) 515-0264.

From the village to the lake to the hills, Skaneateles is showing its American pride.