Salvation Army Receives A Gift From The Heart

The is in the life-sustaining business. 

The agency serves as a food distribution center, provides social service assistance, and hosts a free RotaCare clinic on Saturdays for those who lack health insurance or access to health care, among other offerings.

But what about sudden cardiac arrest?

Thanks to a donation from Valerie O’Halloran of Renton, the facility is now equipped with an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) just in case a client, volunteer or employee’s heart needs a jump start.

This week Renton Fire and Emergency Services Lieutenant Chuck DeSmith trained about a dozen Salvation Army food bank volunteers and staff members in CPR and taught them how to operate an AED.

O’Halloran donated the brand new AED device she earned for completing a 22-week course through her employer, Redmond-based Physio-Control. She’s worked for the company for the last 14 years.

“It’s kind of like a graduation present,” from the company, she said.

O’Halloran learned about the need for a defibrillator at the food bank after a site visit she made as a board member for the (RCF). She also serves on the RCF’s finance committee.

O’Halloran worked with City of Renton Community Services Administrator Terry Higashiyama to ensure that all city facilities have an AED available, and to identify a public building with heavy foot traffic.

The Salvation Army Renton Rotary Food Bank and Social Service Center fit the bill.

Salvation Army Captain Chris Aird said 1,981 people utilized the Salvation Army Social Services and Food Bank in the month of February.

O’Halloran’s donation comes on the heels of Renton Fire and Emergency Service’s , during which firefighters checked the blood pressure and blood sugar of thousands of community members.

The Department also offers quarterly and monthly Friends and Family CPR classes to the public and will provide the class to any business with an AED. Call (425) 430-7104 for more information.