CPR in Schools Training Kit Donated to Holy Cross

Posted on June 2, 2021 by The Dunmorean

A CPR in Schools Training Kit was recently presented to Holy Cross High School through a partnership between Allied Services Integrated Health System and the American Heart Association. Shown at the presentation are, from left: Amy Skiba, Senior Director of Development American Heart Association; Jim Brogna, Vice President Allied Services Integrated Health System; Benjamin Tolerico, principal, Holy Cross High School, and Alex Higley, Health and Physical Education Faculty at Holy Cross

Thanks to a partnership between Allied Services Integrated Health System and the American Heart Association, a potential life-saving donation was recently made to Holy Cross High School.

Representatives from both organizations were in Dunmore to present the school with a CPR in Schools Training Kit™. The kit is specifically designed to help schools meet the required cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) curriculum that was signed into law in June of 2019.

In Pennsylvania, the law requires schools to teach “hands-only” CPR, a no-breath, compression-only method that the American Heart Association recommends in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. The law also states that the lessons must include the use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs).

The CPR in Schools Training Kit™ includes 10 “mini-Annie” inflatable manikins, watch-while-training DVDs, and a facilitator guide, as well as 10 AED trainers, and much more.

“The kit contains everything that staff needs to teach the hands-only method of CPR in one class period, as well as AED use and choking relief” noted Amy Skiba, Senior Director of Development American Heart Association.

About 90 percent of people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest do not have a good outcome. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and the annual partnership between Allied Services and the American Heart Association aims to raise awareness about heart-related emergencies and the signs and symptoms of a stroke. As one of the nation’s leading stroke rehabilitation providers, Allied Services is enthusiastic to educate the community and students on both the warning signs of a stroke and cardiac-related issues – and how their rapid response could save a life.

“Because of our partnership with the American Heart Association, we are able to make an investment in saving lives, through educating the community and providing the tools needed for direct teaching and practice of this life-saving technique. We want all students and educators to have the opportunity to learn CPR and recognize the signs of a stroke, thereby putting more qualified lifesavers in our communities” remarked Jim Brogna, Vice President Allied Services.

In addition to Skiba and Brogan, Holy Cross principal BenTolerico and Alex Highley of the school’s health and physical education faculty were on hand for the presentation.

MyCIL Receives $10,000 Donation Through FNCB

Posted on June 2, 2021 by The Dunmorean

Pictured from left: Richard Drust, FNCB Bank Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Officer; Tim Moran, MyCIL’s CEO; Mari Pacyna, MyCIL’s Director of Finance; Mike Mellody, MyCIL’s CFO; and Michael Cummings, FNCB Bank Vice President, Marketing Manager.

FNCB Bank, locally-based since 1910, has announced a $10,000 Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to MyCIL in support of programming at their Transitional Skills Center.

The Transitional Skills Center is a state-of-the-art facility where students with different disabilities develop the skills they need to reach their independent living goals. Part of MyCIL (Northeast PA Center for Independent Living), the Transitional Skills Center features comprehensive and customized programming that includes community-based learning experiences, recreation and wellness, group facilitation and more.

Since 2010, FNCB has contributed almost $2.5 million dollars to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative.

The support of MyCIL is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.

YMCA Encourages Water Safety Through Swim Programs

Posted on June 2, 2021 by The Dunmorean

The Greater Scranton YMCA wants to ensure that water safety doesn’t get lost in our community’s eagerness to return to a “normal” summer. As temperatures rise, kids want to cool off, whether that is in home pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, or oceans. And that means the risk of drowning is as prevalent as ever.

“As ‘America’s Swim Instructor,’ the Greater Scranton YMCA typically teaches 1,500 children invaluable water safety and swimming skills each year.

Last year, though due to COVID-19 precautions, we saw that number dip and want to remind parents and caregivers that it’s more important than ever to keep water safety top of mind as families start to return to their usual summer routines,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA.

The Greater Scranton YMCA is encouraging parents to play an active role in promoting water safety and providing five tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for all.

1. Never swim alone or without a water watcher. When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.

2. Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water. Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or lake, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times.

3. Don’t engage in breath holding activities. Children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can cause drowning and has several other severe physical side-effects.

4. Wear a life jacket: Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

5. Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water. If a child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try to save them. Even if a child is a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer underwater. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique, children can help their friend without compromising their own safety.

To learn more about the Greater Scranton YMCA’s swim programs, including the upcoming Annual Safe Around Water Campaign sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Scranton, please contact Ken Brewster, Aquatics Director, at (570) 828-3112 or kbrewster@greaterscrantonymca.org.