Casey’s presents $50K donation check to American Heart Association for CPR training kits in central Texas schools

Casey’s presented a $50,000 donation to the American Heart Association to expand CPR education and create a new generation of lifesavers in Central Texas schools.

Lyndie Miller, Director of Corporate Development for the American Heart Association, noted that this donation will be used to purchase 50 CPR training kits for distribution to schools in Waco, Temple, and Killeen.

Each kit provides resources to train up to 20 students or staff members.

“By providing CPR kits to multiple school districts in Central Texas, we ensure that when students are taught CPR, they aren’t just learning the technique; they are also gaining the confidence to step in during an emergency. This means students graduate high school and enter the workforce, the wider world, or college campuses confident and capable of performing CPR,” Miller said.

The kits will be distributed to various schools, including Midway ISD in Hewitt, and Woodway, Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy, Greater Waco Advanced Health Care Academy, Holy Trinity Catholic School, Central Texas Christian School, and Killeen ISD.

Ernest Upchurch, a District Manager at Casey’s who underwent a heart transplant a year ago, had the opportunity to participate in the donation presentation.

Upchurch mentioned how important being part of this initiative is to him; thanks to his personal experience, he understands the significance of having a second chance at life.

“It is phenomenal to be able to return to work and spend time with my family.” “I have three beautiful grandchildren I can play, run, and go out with, so the simple fact of still being here in this world is wonderful,” he said.

The AHA hopes that this initiative will bring them closer to their goal of having at least one person trained in CPR in every household in the community.

Each year, more than 350,000 people in the United States suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital.

The American Heart Association states that if someone begins CPR immediately, it can double or even triple that person’s chances of survival.