Community Council Continues Effort to Place Life-Saving AEDs at Fort Clark Springs

A new map and flyer are helping Fort Clark Springs residents and guests locate the automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, currently placed throughout the community. The Fort Clark Springs Community Council has been instrumental in providing these potentially life-saving devices by raising money for AED placement. The devices are currently available and publicly accessible at the golf course, fitness center, and RV park.

President of Community Council, Tom Kovacs has chaired the raffle committee supporting this effort, helping guide fundraising activities for the AED project. Kovacs thanked Terry Lane for helping keep the project on track, offering positive suggestions, and taking photos of the AED locations for the flyer. Lane also thanked the Community Council, Kovacs, and Warren Thompson for making the wooden signs that help guide residents and guests to the AED locations. Annabell McNew was also recognized for developing the flyer.

The AED project has been a multi-year mission for Community Council. Through raffle fundraising efforts, thousands of dollars have been donated toward AEDs, with more than $5,000 also given away in prizes. The next raffle is scheduled to begin in September and will end on Christmas Day. Proceeds from that raffle will help Community Council lease the next and final planned AED, bringing the total number of AEDs in the community to four.

Looking ahead, the Community Council plans to support the long-term sustainability of the AED program through sponsorships. The organization is currently seeking individuals or companies interested in sponsoring an AED. All AEDs are contracted through the American Red Cross and provided by Avive. Each AED is leased for $550 per year. Community Council currently has three AEDs in place, with plans to add a fourth. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Community Council can provide contributors with an annual receipt. AED sponsorship also includes 11 automatic entries into the annual Fall Gun Raffles and a plaque displayed with the AED recognizing the sponsor’s name. Those interested in participating or sponsoring an AED may contact the President of Community Council at fcsccpresident@gmail.com