The Atlantic Highlands Lions Club is giving back to the community in a crucial way by donating a Zoll ResQCPR System to the Atlantic Highlands First Aid & Safety Squad.
The donation of the life-saving device has immediately made the all-volunteer first aid squad better equipped to respond to cases of sudden cardiac arrest.
“We’re volunteers, so there is satisfaction in being able to give back to our community,” said Atlantic Highlands Lions Club President Penny Hofman-Morris. “If we can help our own community everybody wins.”
The concept of donating the device came after Lee Hofman, a long-time member of the Lions Club read about use of the equipment by Monmouth Beach EMS to save a life. The agreement to make the donation came when members of the Lions Club and the AHFAS spoke while on duty at the Atlantic Highlands Fireman’s Fair earlier this summer.
“This was something we could do for our community and we said, ‘why not,’” recalled Hofman-Morris. “We voted on it over making funnel cakes.”
“This is a great example of two local community organizations teaming up to help make the community stronger,” said AHFAS Chief Bill Mount. “Thanks to the Lions Club, our members have a device designed to improve their efforts in true life or death situations. We’re very grateful for this donation from our friends and neighbors at the Atlantic Highlands Lions Club.”
The ResQCPR system from Zoll enhances the effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and is the only device with an FDA-approved indication to increase the likelihood of survival.
While the Lions Club is well-known for collecting and donating used eyeglasses, Hofman-Morris said the organization does so much more ranging from buying bulletproof vests for police officers to acquiring equipment to assure school children in the community can see properly.
“We do a number of other things in community service other than collect glasses,” said Hofman-Morris.
For information on the Atlantic Highlands Lions Club visit: AHNJLIONS.ORG
The Atlantic Highlands First Aid & Safety Squad provides free EMS and rescue services to the borough of Atlantic Highlands and occasionally the surrounding communities. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization relies on donations from the borough and the community to provide those services. For information on the various ways to help the AHFAS follow the squad on Facebook and Twitter, visit the squad’s website at www.ahfirstaid.org, or call the non-emergency number (732) 291-8118.