- Bill Brugnone, varsity assistant softball coach (L) and Chad Reed, TBH registered nurse (R) are shown holding one of the recently donated AEDs at the Bellevue (H.S.) softball field.
Every year, Ohio student athletes and their parents watch a video known as “Lindsay’s Law,” reviewing the importance of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs).
After watching the video with his daughter, Chad Reed, a registered nurse at The Bellevue Hospital (TBH), took time to locate the AED devices at the Bellevue High School (H.S.) and realized the athletic fields did not have enough equipment to adequately meet the needs of the students and community.
“The Bellevue H.S. had an AED located in the cafeteria, the gymnasium and an externally mounted device at the concession stand at Bellevue Athletic Field. However, four other athletic sites, located a great distance from the school, did not have easy or timely access to an AED,” said Chad.
To find adequate financial support to purchase additional AEDs, Chad presented the information to The Bellevue Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors.
“It was easy to see additional devices were a necessity for the safety of our local students, teachers and community members,” said Dennis Sabo, director of The Bellevue Hospital Foundation. “We were honored to help support this project.”
With additional donations from the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 490 and the Bellevue United Selective Fund, nearly $8,500 was donated to purchase five additional AEDs. The AEDs have been placed at the Bellevue H.S. softball and baseball fields, Bellevue Little League field, Harmon Field and Jungle Junction.
“Our goal was to be as prepared as possible before a tragedy happened,” said Bill Brugnone, varsity assistant softball coach and president of Diamonds and Fairways, an non-profit organization that supports high school youth athletics. “It’s amazing to see how much the community comes together to support our athletes.”