NEA Baptist provides AEDs for schools

Jonesboro, Arkansas – The NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation donated travel-automated external defibrillators to four local schools.

At a ceremony on Wednesday to collect the AEDs, a representative from the Jonesboro, Riverside, Bay, and Harrisburg school districts was present.

The Luke Brodell AED Fund, according to Kim Provost, executive director of the NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation, received the funds.

The portable AEDs, according to the Provost, could save lives in the schools.

“They are designed to go with you, so our area sports teams can take those where there is one there, readily available if something were to happen. It’s in a bright-colored case and they’ll be able to identify it and grab it quickly,” she said.

Dr. Kim Willbanks, the superintendent of the Jonesboro School District, claimed that it might matter for its athletes, particularly when they travel.

“We know how critical and how important it is that AEDs are available and nobody ever wants to have to use one, but in case you do, it’s just critical that it’s available,” she said.

The price of a travel AED might reach $1,500.

According to Provost, the donations ensured that a portable AED was available at every school in Craighead County.