Essex church gets grant for heart shock device purchase

ESSEX — After two separate medical emergencies at First Congregational Church in Essex last year, members realized the need for having an automated external defibrillator on site.

In addition to worship services, the church welcomes more than 400 guests, many who are middle-age or older, into the building each week for various community gatherings, including preschool, 12-step programs, karate, big band and quilting groups.

The Rev. Kenneth Peterkin reached out to the Essex Foundation, requesting financial assistance for purchasing an AED and a cabinet to house it. The grant request was quickly approved by the foundation’s board members, allowing the equipment to be purchased and installed at the church this winter.

An AED is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart to potentially stop an irregular heart beat and allow a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest.

With simple audio and visual commands, AEDs are designed to be simple to use for the layperson, as well as people with first aid, first responder or CPR training.

“FCC Essex is grateful to receive the grant from the Essex Foundation. Not only do we feel this to be a potentially lifesaving item to keep close at hand for our mature congregation members and our guests from the greater community, as we expand our ministry to become a fine wedding venue, we also feel fortunate to offer peace of mind to all those who enter here,” Peterkin said.

Supported by donations from the community, the Essex Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Essex residents by providing funding for needs not met by other organizations or sources.

More information can be found online at www.theessexfoundation.org or by emailing contact@theessexfoundation.org.

Durham seeks responses to survey

DURHAM — The town of Durham is seeking responses to an economic survey developed by the Economic Development Commission.

The following is a message from Janet Morganti, commission chairman:

“Dear Residents, We hope that this communication finds you and your family well. Thank you for following health guidelines and for practicing social distancing.

“While the number of cases is nearing the peak, we know that your efforts are helping to flatten the curve.

“As you have heard from our president and governor, plans must now be developed to gradually lift restrictions and kickstart our economy. I’ve seen how you have supported our local businesses during this pandemic but know that they will need our support even more as they build back up after the shutdown.

“The town of Durham and the Economic Development Commission will do what we can to help in the effort. In addition to helping our current businesses grow and thrive, we must also look for more opportunities to grow our commercial and industrial base.

“We will look for the growth potential in the wake of this pandemic downturn. However, your input and support will be needed. Therefore, the town has created a survey to solicit your opinions and ideas, which should take no more than five minutes of your time.

“Your responses will remain anonymous and only shared in aggregate. The results will help us develop a retention and recruitment strategic plan going forward. Go to https://www.research.net/r/DurhamEDSurvey to take the survey.

“We will present the results of the survey at a public information session. Please stay tuned for an announcement of the date of that meeting as well as some online chats. Thank you for your time and attention.”

Red Cross receives Duracell support

The American Red Cross is recognizing Duracell for its donation of 100,000 AAA batteries to be used to power infrared forehead thermometers at blood drives across the country.

Duracell has shipped these batteries to 10 Red Cross sites throughout the United States for distribution. This gift is vitally important to ensure the safety of blood donors and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement.

“We are grateful for the continued support of Duracell,” said Mario Bruno, CEO of the American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island region.

“They have been there to help power our mission before, and their support during this pandemic is helping to ensure we can help save lives through blood donation.”

Due to COVID-19, the Red Cross has implemented additional safety protocols at all blood drives, including screening the temperature of volunteers, donors and staff before they enter a blood drive.

Infrared thermometers allow this screening to be completed accurately while maintaining a greater distance between the donor and the screener.

The need for blood is constant, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need.

This is the time to take care of one another. If you are healthy and feeling well, make an appointment to donate in the weeks ahead by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800733-2767.

Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with new CDC public guidance.

H/K Hall of Fame dinner postponed

HADDAM/KILLINGWORTH — The annual H/K Hall of Fame dinner, scheduled for May, has been postponed until May 2021. More information will be provided in the fall.

The dinner was to honor this year’s HK Hall of Fame inductees: Elizabeth “Betty” Cernan, Robert Kadrle, Betty Meyer, Susan Rutty, Carol Sheridan and Edward Yantosh.