Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Grant to Fund Free CPR Classes in Oxford
(Oxford Township, July 25, 2023)
Oxford, MI – Oxford Township is proud to announce it has been awarded a $12,465 grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. The money will be used by the Oxford Fire Department to conduct a pilot program in which non-certification CPR classes will be offered to the public, free of charge, on a monthly basis over a two-year period.
The grant was researched, written and submitted by C.J. Carnacchio, the township’s communications and grants manager.
“This grant is going to save lives. If performed promptly, CPR has the potential to double or triple an individual’s odds of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest,” Carnacchio said. “On behalf of Oxford Township, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan for partnering with us and funding this critical program. Anytime you train someone in CPR, it makes the people around them safer. Anytime you train groups of people in CPR, it makes your community safer. That’s our main goal.”
Carnacchio worked closely with Capt. Kevin Snell, the fire department’s EMS coordinator, to prepare the grant proposal. Snell strongly believes equipping the public with knowledge and skills is key when it comes to preparing for medical emergencies.
“Fewer than half the people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting receive CPR, which can mean the difference between life and death. Without treatment, a person can die in a matter of minutes because their heart has stopped pumping blood to their brain and lungs,” explained Capt. Snell. “Two out of five people are simply not comfortable administering CPR and many cite lack of training or knowledge as the reason why. The Oxford Fire Department will work hard to combat this problem by educating as many people as possible through these free classes. Education breeds confidence. Confident people are more willing to act when others are in trouble and that can save lives.”
In order to fully fund the pilot program, the grant money will be combined with a $1,600 donation from the Sterling Heights-based Chaldean Community Foundation (the nonprofit arm of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce) and $1,516 from the OXFD budget. The money will be used to purchase new training equipment (adult, child and baby CPR manikins, choking victim manikins and AED trainers), pay CPR instructor wages and purchase student manuals.
Using this new equipment, the OXFD will soon begin offering the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Family and Friends CPR classes at Fire Station #1 (96 N. Washington St.). These classes will be conducted on a monthly basis for 24 months. The two-hour course is for anyone who wants to learn how to effectively help family, friends, coworkers and strangers in a medical emergency. According to the AHA, the class is “ideal for community groups, new parents, grandparents, babysitters and others interested in learning how to save a life.” The class is not for individuals seeking a course completion (or certification) card.”
“Offering free classes removes a financial barrier and creates an incentive to learn this lifesaving skill,” Capt. Snell said.
“When registration opens, we will let everyone know through the township, fire department and parks and recreation Facebook pages and our local media. Stay tuned!” Carnacchio said.
About the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan:
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a full-service philanthropic organization leading the way to positive change in our region. As a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations, the foundation supports a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development and civic affairs in the seven counties of southeast Michigan.
Photos by C.J. Carnacchio.
