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Newsroom Chapter Blog
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Apr
22
4/22/2009 1:23 PM
It was a beautiful spring evening, the first really decent April evening so far. I was driving the Lifesaver Van filled with balloons, signs, certificates, a gift basket and 4 enthusiastic volunteers through the St. Charles County countryside to the Orchard Farm School District Board Meeting. Our mission – which we had already chosen to accept – was to present the Community Lifesaver Award to the School District.
The idea behind the Lifesaver Community Award is to honor organizations in the community (like schools and businesses) for contributing to a safer environment. The Orchard Farm School District got the honor because they have 3 Red Cross certified instructors on staff, teaching everything from First Aid to CPR. In three years, they have trained 188 staff members, and coach Phil Kendall even trains some of his students as part of the Physical Education classes. The District has 4 Automated External Defibrillators (AED) on site, in case anyone goes into cardiac arrest. And students and teachers in the district held 2 blood drives last year – collecting an astonishing 212 units of blood (wow!).
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| The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter recently presented its Lifesaver Community Award, sponsored by AAA, tothe Orchard Farm R-V School District for training 188 staff members in First Aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillators (AED). Standing left to right:Elmer Dwyer (Board President – Orchard Farm School District), Bob Shive (Volunteer – Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter), Mary Beth Ohlms (Manager – Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter), Jean Smyth (Volunteer – Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter), Pam Donley (Volunteer – Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter), Betsy VanScoyk (Nurse – Orchard Farm School District), Amy Liesmann (Nurse – Orchard Farm School District), Phil Kendall (Instructor – Orchard Farm School District), and Don Barkley (Volunteer – Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter); Seated: Tim McInnis (Asst. Superintendent – Orchard Farm School District). |
This small school district, serving about 1300 students living in mostly in the rural areas of St. Charles County was bursting with pride upon receiving the honor. They were amazed when I told them that one of the volunteers with me had driven all the way from Fairview Heights, IL!! Earlier in the meeting, they recognized a bus driver for recognizing and assisting a student during a diabetic emergency. It was obvious to me that they practice what they preach. Through their efforts, they have definitely made the Orchard Farm community a safer place. I was thrilled to be there.
Mary Beth Ohlms is the manager of health and safety for the St. Louis Area Chapter.
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