SCHOLASTIC SPORTS ZONE FOUNDATION DONATES AEDS TO WCAC HEAD START
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2023
CONTACT: Ellen M. Ganley, Director of Policy, Public Affairs & Development
EGanley@wcac.net
O: 508-762-9807
Southbridge, Massachusetts - Worcester Community Action Council's Head Start program was the recipient of a donation of two Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) from the Scholastic Sports Zone Foundation. Members of the foundation presented the two life saving devices, valued at approximately $4,000, to WCAC as part of the program's professional development day for early education staff at WCAC's Head Start Center located at 25 Cole Avenue, Southbridge.

WCAC Head Start Health & Nutrition Coordinator Crystal Monaco said, "We are most grateful to the Scholastic Sports Zone Foundation for providing our program with these lifesaving tools. Making our learning space as safe as possible for the little ones entrusted to our care as well as to our teachers and staff is of utmost priority."

Foundation Secretary Howie Kahn said, "The Foundation's mission is to provide all school programs in Massachusetts with access to the best health and safety equipment available through education programs and partnerships."
The Scholastic Sports Zone Foundation (SSZF) was established following the tragic death of Michael Ellsessar. The 16-year-old died suddenly of cardiac arrest during a high school football game in November 2011. The Ellsessar family was struck by tragedy a second time when youngest son Timothy suffered a cardiac emergency at the age of 18 in 2015. The organization has successfully advocated for passage of a state law requiring every Massachusetts public school to have a written emergency response plan to reduce life threatening emergencies and promote efficient responses if one occurs. SSZF has also donated more than 50 AEDs to school programs.

WCAC operates two Head Start Centers, one in Southbridge the other at 116 School Street, Webster, serving 203 low-income children and their families from the communities of Brookfield, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Leicester, Millbury, Oxford, Spencer, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Warren and Webster. The program is now enrolling for Fall 2023. Learn more at https://wcac.net/head-start
About WCAC

Since 1965, the Worcester Community Action Council has served as the federally designated anti-poverty agency for central and southern Worcester County, with a mission of helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships and advocacy.

Serving the City of Worcester and 45 neighboring communities of Auburn, Blackstone, Boylston, Brimfield, Brookfield, Charlton, Clinton, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Holden, Holland, Hopedale, Hubbardston, Grafton, Leicester, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Monson, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Northborough, Northbridge, Palmer, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, Wales, Warren, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield and Westborough.
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