FOXWYND FOUNDATION SUPPORTS LOCAL ORGANIZATION’S LIFE-SAVING PROGRAM
DOWNINGTOWN, PA – A local organization that protects youth and families from the devastation of death due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest recently received a local grant to further their mission to empower the community with life-saving skills.
The Foxwynd Foundation recently awarded Aidan’s Heart Foundation with a grant in the amount of $10,748 as part of its multi-phase efforts to proliferate the availability of CPR certification courses in the community while leveraging the power of young adults, who will be trained as CPR Instructors to teach the classes. The Foxwynd Foundation was established in January 2024 by members of the Bentley family, renowned for their philanthropic legacy and commitment to community service. The foundation serves as a platform for the Bentley family to channel their dedication to humanitarian causes, aiming to create a lasting impact for future generations. The Foxwynd Foundation focuses on enhancing access to healthcare, housing, and sustainable environmental initiatives. Through strategic partnerships and grantmaking, the foundation supports programs that promote human dignity and potential, reflecting the Bentley family’s enduring commitment to positive societal change. This grant is distributed through the Foxwynd Foundation Donor Advised Fund and is subject to the regulations and guidelines governing donor advised funds as established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The grant funds will be used to purchase equipment for CPR training classes, including CPR manikins, AED trainers, face masks, instructional manuals, and batteries and pads for the trainers. Additionally, 100 CPR certification cards will be provided for community members who serve as caregivers, including babysitters, coaches, camp counselors and those caring for aging or disabled persons, as a result of the grant.
“The Bentley family and Foxwynd Foundation are pleased to support this important cause to protect our youth. We are proud to assist Aidan’s Heart Foundation in its effort to expand CPR education and save lives,” says Pamela Villagra, Executive Director of Foxwynd Foundation.
Aidan’s Heart Foundation is dedicated to creating heart-safe communities for youth by raising awareness, providing education, and facilitating life-saving interventions for the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Founded in memory of Aidan Silva, who tragically lost his life to SCA at the age of 7, our foundation works to ensure that no family or community has to experience a similar loss. Through heart screenings, CPR and AED training, and the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools and youth-centered spaces, we empower individuals and organizations to take proactive steps in protecting young hearts. To date, Aidan’s Heart has taught over 12,000 students Hands-Only CPR skills and certified over 300 youth and adults in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and AED use.
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among student-athletes and the number one medical cause of death on school campuses. Each year, approximately 2,000 youth under the age of 25 die from SCA in the United States, with many of these cases occurring in young people who had no prior symptoms or known heart conditions. Studies show that immediate CPR and access to an AED within the first few minutes can increase survival rates to over 80%, yet fewer than 50% of youth sports venues are equipped with an AED. Aidan’s Heart Foundation addresses these critical gaps by providing the necessary tools and training to save lives.
States Christy Marshall-Silva, Aidan’s mother and Executive Director of the foundation that was formed in his honor, “By leveraging the skills and dedication of the next generation in expanding CPR education opportunities for caregivers in our local communities, Aidan’s legacy continues, and more lives will be saved.”