CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — In a major effort to improve cardiac arrest survival rates across Pickaway County, the Well Being Foundation has announced a wide-scale donation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to several local youth sports complexes, community parks, and nature preserves.
The initiative expands on a project that began in 2025, when the foundation—formerly known as the Berger Health Foundation—originally provided funding for an AED to the Scioto Kids Association. Following that donation, the foundation’s board launched a comprehensive assessment to locate other remote or heavily trafficked recreation areas in the county that were lacking the lifesaving equipment.
Expanding the Safety Net: Where the AEDs are Going
The foundation’s board recently authorized the purchase and distribution of several new AED units, strategically placing them in areas where large groups assemble for outdoor recreation and public education. The newly equipped groups include:
- Circleville Park Board: Units will be installed and accessible at both Barthelmas Park and Ted Lewis Park to protect families during peak field and playground seasons.
- Youth Sports: Strategic units have been awarded to both Pickaway Township and the Ashville Kids Association to safeguard young athletes, coaches, and spectators during community sporting events.
- Pickaway County Park District: A specialized mobile unit was awarded to the district’s naturalist educator. This ensures the lifesaving device is on hand when staff travel to remote properties or conduct outdoor wilderness presentations.
AEDs are portable electronic devices that can automatically diagnose life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and deliver a shock to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. Having one nearby during the first few minutes of a cardiac emergency can be the difference between life and death.
Partnering with the YMCA for Hands-On Training
Recognizing that equipment is only effective if people know how to use it, the Well Being Foundation partnered directly with the Pickaway County Family YMCA to ensure local leaders are fully prepared.
YMCA Aquatics Director Austin Brooks and Executive Director Wayne Linthicum spearheaded a collaborative training seminar. Together, they provided hands-on instructional training to representatives from each receiving organization, covering the proper deployment, safety protocols, and operational use of the new devices.
A Continued Mission for Pickaway County
Foundation leaders noted that this countywide deployment directly reflects their core organizational mission: “enhancing the well being of our community.” Through strategic local grants and partnerships with organizations like the YMCA, the board hopes to continue creating a healthier, safer environment for Pickaway County families.
Community organizations interested in partnering with the foundation or learning more about future grant cycles can contact the organization via email at [email protected] or by mail at PO Box 181, Circleville, OH 43113.
