THUNDER BAY - Those lending a helping hand to the community can volunteer with an added layer of safety.
After two heart-related incidents in 2018 involving one Habitat for Humanity worker and one volunteer, CEO Randy Moore knew something needed to be done.
The ReStore a Heart campaign was launched in February with a goal of raising enough money for two automatic external defibrillators.
“Habitat for Humanity has over 100 volunteers in the city and the majority of those volunteers are senior citizens,” Moore said.
Although the volunteer and worker both recovered from their cardiac incident, the not-for-profit charity decided it couldn’t take any chances moving forward.
“We realized that our most important asset is our volunteers. It’s our responsibility to make sure we provide them with a safe environment to come and participate and work,”
With the campaign now closed and nearly $4,000 raised, two new AEDs are in the possession of Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity helps would-be homeowners enter into the housing market by collectively building new homes on land donated to the organization. The homeowner is given an affordable, low-interest mortgage that they otherwise might not have secured going through a financial institution.
Moore said one defibrillator will be located on-site wherever the charity happens to be working at the time and one will be available at the ReStore on Squier Street.
He added that a persons’ survival rate drops between seven and 10 per cent each minute during a cardiac incident. The presence of AEDs can sometimes mean life or death.
In July, an incident caused the recently trained staff to take action after an emergency situation occurred in the ReStore.
Marge Buhler-Moore, owner of the Buhler-Moore First Aid Services, is providing training for workers and volunteers of Habitat for Humanity.
“All of the staff and volunteers have just reiterated how important it is that they were prepared in that situation,” Buhler-Moore said. “It drives home the fact that it’s important. If I can save one life, that’s all that matters to me. So doing the training, I’ve heard it’s made a difference.”
Habitat for Humanity wants to thank Superior North Association of Professional Paramedics, BrokerLink and Buhler-Moore First Aid Services for their generous donations. With these donations, Habitat Restore was able to reach their target and purchase the AED's for their organization.
