Press Release from The Essex Foundation

In December 2023, Reverend Kurt Saenger-Heyl, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church on Main Street in Centerbrook, reached out to The Essex Foundation with a simple yet vital holiday wish. The church needed an onsite, automated external defibrillator (AED), and Rev. Saenger-Heyl hoped the foundation could help fund the purchase and installation of the emergency medical equipment. The foundation board members responded quickly with unanimous approval to grant funds to cover the entire cost, allowing the equipment to be put in place over the winter months.

An AED is a lightweight, portable device which delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart to potentially stop an irregular heartbeat 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, and CPR training.

“The AED provides us with a life-saving tool to help keep all who come to worship, play music, be fed, do yoga and many other activities, stay safe and healthy,” Rev. Saenger-Heyl said. “It enables us to better serve the greater Essex community and all who come through our doors. We are grateful to the Essex Foundation for helping us procure it!”

The providing of support for emergency medical equipment is just one of the many local needs met by The Essex Foundation. Supported by donations from the community, The Essex Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 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. For more information, visit www.theessexfoundation.org or email contact@theessexfoundation.org.