It’s a vital gift that you hope you never use.
The West Jersey Rotary Club has donated three defibrillators to the township. Two of the life-saving devices were presented to the township at a council meeting in December and one at council’s Jan. 13 meeting. One will go in a new police vehicle, one will go to the Knights of Columbus for senior citizen meetings and one will go to VFW Post 1320.
“(The club) is a very active, community-oriented organization,” council President Lynn Jeney noted of the Rotary.
The township has been working with Clark Daugherty, president of the club, on the Veterans Day Flags for Heroes Field of Honor. He said it’s a pleasure to donate the defibrillators.
“We have the great hope that you will never have to use them,” he noted, “but if you do, it’s right there.”
“This donation reflects Rotary’s core values of service, community partnership, and dedication to improving the well-being of others,” Daugherty commented in a social media post. “By equipping local organizations with essential emergency tools, the Rotary Club strengthens public safety and supports those who serve the community every day.
“The initiative demonstrates how Rotary members live out their commitment to service above self, fostering a safer and more resilient township.”
Joe Mullan, vice commander of Post 1320, also thanked the club.
“We have a lot of elderly veterans with a lot of disabilities that come to the post,” he shared. “This would be an excellent device to have … Hopefully we will never have to use it, but there might have been a life saved by this action.”
Mayor Barnes Hutchins congratulated the Rotary for all the work its members do. The West Rotary Club services townships along the Route 130 corridor, including Cinnaminson, Riverton, Riverside, Beverly, Willingboro, Delran and Delanco.
Rotary is a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers. With more than 45,000 clubs worldwide, it provides service to others to promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through a fellowship of business, professional and community leaders, according to its website.
