CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Some local sports organizations recently benefitted from the Trinity Shamrocks football team.
At the beginning of the season, the Shamrocks learned that crossing the goal line on the ground would be worth more than just six points. Every rushing touchdown the team made helped supply funds for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to local youth sports communities.
The collaboration was made possible with the Peyton Walker Foundation's Huddle for Heart initiative.
On Wednesday, the Shamrocks presented four local programs with life-saving AEDs after a total of $5,800 was raised this past season, due to the team's rushing touchdowns.
The benefitting programs say it's incredible to be rewarded with such an important device.
"We know we're sparing families from a lifetime of heartache [by] making sure AEDs are available where kids play, practice sports [and] congregate," said Julie Walker, the executive director of the Peyton Walker Foundation. It's really important to know CPR, know how to use an AED and have access to that AED as well."
A group of Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced legislation last year that would require all schools in the Commonwealth to have an AED president at all athletic and practice events as well as a detailed emergency plan for cardiac arrest.
The bill was still under consideration in December of 2023.