CRANFORD – On November 16 The Aliver Foundation held a community event at Hanson Park in Cranford to celebrate the donation of an all weather, climate controlled, tamper proof AED enclosure and device to this public recreation space. Residents gathered with trustees from Hanson Park Conservancy, the Cranford Fire Department, the Cranford Police Department, and Rotary Club of Cranford members.
The Aliver Foundation’s Founder & President, Jill A. Pall, introduced the nonprofit’s Board of Directors/ Advisory Council members and detailed how speaking at a Cranford Rotary Club meeting led to the organization being selected to receive a donation from the group’s August golf tournament.
“The Rotary Club of Cranford is pleased to have been able to partner with The Aliver Foundation on this very important project,” said Juan Rengifo, Immediate Past President. Ms. Pall said she researched public recreation spaces in Cranford and contacted Ellen McHenry, President of Hanson Park Conservancy to discuss the donation. “Hanson Park Conservancy thanks The Aliver Foundation and the Cranford Rotary for selecting Hanson Park to install a lifesaving device,” Ms. McHenry said.
Ms. Pall noted that Cranford Police Captain Matt Nazzaro was influential in advocating for this equipment, speaking with Lavona Patterson at the Township who facilitated accepting the donation almost immediately. “Anyone can become a lifesaver by quickly dialing 9-1-1 and beginning the emergency response to sudden cardiac arrest. Adding this outdoor AED to one of our most popular Township parks is an incredible step towards saving a life and keeping our residents safe,” said Capt. Nazzaro.
Ms. Pall spoke about having cardiac arrest, an electrical issue with an 8 percent survival rate, at Echo Lake Park on June 25, 2021. She mentioned that there was no AED in the park and introduced Ailene Connors-Albarron (who is now a board member of The Aliver Foundation), who performed CPR compressions on her for over 10 minutes until paramedics arrived. Given that every minute without an AED decreases survival by 10 percent, Ms. Pall asked attendees to do the math.
The Aliver Foundation Board Member Andrew Blumenstock, talked through some startling statistics, including the fact that white men were most likely to receive bystander CPR while the chances went down significantly for women and people of color, and encouraged attendees to not be afraid to step in and do something if presented with the opportunity.
Following Ms. Pall and Mr. Blumenstock’s remarks, Lieutenant John Dillon of the Cranford Fire Department showed attendees how to do CPR compressions and how to use an AED through an interactive demonstration. The day was captured through the lens of Garrett Maney from Just A Soul Photography and children had the opportunity to decorate a special “stethoscope” to take home to listen to hearts.
“It’s incredible to see the impact The Aliver Foundation has had in Union County, NJ and beyond in just 10 months since securing nonprofit status,” Mr. Blumenstock said.
The Aliver Foundation announced that by the end of the year, the organization will be directly responsible for over 100 all weather, climate controlled, tamper proof AED enclosures being installed in public recreation spaces, ensuring lives can be saved 24/7/365.
The Aliver Foundation raises awareness and funds to install all weather AEDs in outdoor recreation spaces while also providing crucial resources and educational opportunities to individuals and communities. To learn more, please visit thealiverfoundation.org.
PUBLIC NOTICE
BOROUGH OF GARWOOD BOARD OF EDUCATION PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Garwood Board of Education will hold a public meeting on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 6pm for the purpose of Reorganization in the Lincoln School cafeteria. Visit Garwood School District Website Board of Education Meeting Tab via https:// www.garwoodschools.org for additional meeting details. Formal Action may be taken. Bernadette Pinto SBA/Board Secretary 1 T – 12/26/24, UC Hawk Fee: $14.28
