News photo by Darby Hinkley The Z Club, the high school chapter of the Zonta Club, met Thursday to plan a fundraiser to purchase at least two, and possibly three, new defibrillators for use at sporting events. has been finalized. Pictured from left: Alpena High School Athletic Director Ben Henry, City of Alpena Regional Risk Reduction Deputy Director Andy Marceau, Z Club Coach Peggy Donakowski, and Z Club Vice President Adia Rado. Mr. Ford, Kameryn Rouse of the Z Club. President, Rielle Saunders, Z Club Member, Ella Watson, Z Club Treasurer, Prashari Chapamohan, Z Club Secretary, and Lillian Spigelmeyer, Z Club Member. Radford and Rouse hold the defibrillator that Marceau provided for the photo.
ALPENA — The Young Girls’ Club at Alpena High School is fundraising to purchase at least two defibrillators for sporting events, and if enough money is raised, three.
The Z Club, the high school chapter of the Zonta Club, is asking community members to sponsor a date on their November calendar. Select an available date on your calendar and donate that amount. Z Club members and adult members of the Alpena Tri-County Zonta Club will begin fundraising efforts on November 1st.
Defibrillators cost $1,600 each. This fundraising campaign was launched in response to the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s new requirement that defibrillators be available at all sporting events. Currently, high schools have several defibrillators, but many more will be needed if multiple sporting events are held at the same time.
“The Zonta Club of Alpena Tri-County sponsors the Z Club,” said Peggy Donakowski, a Z Club leader and director of the Zonta Club of Alpena Tri-County. “This is really the first year we’re doing something big for a fundraiser.”
There are currently about 10 young women in Z Club.
“Each girl has their own calendar page to sell,” Donakowski explained. “We have high hopes for two defibrillators, but we actually want to buy three defibrillators. There is a new law in Michigan that requires AEDs to be used at every game starting next year. By 2025, all schools in Michigan will be required to have an AED on campus to reach cardiac events within 3 minutes, and all sports teams will be required to have an AED installed. It is mandatory to have.
“This is a huge deal,” said Andy Marceau, deputy director of community risk reduction for the city of Alpena. “AEDs are what save people. Yes, you can do standard CPR, but an AED is what shocks the heart back into a regular rhythm, and time is of the essence.”
Rouse said this is an important fundraiser for the Alpena Tri-County Z Club and Zonta Club.
“This year we want to do more for the community,” said Z Club President Kameryn Rouse. “This is a huge opportunity for us to do even more.”
Mr. Donakowski explained the mission of Zonta Clubs around the world.
“At Zonta International, we believe that young people are critical to achieving gender equality and ending violence against women and girls around the world,” Donakowski said, adding that the organization’s mission is “now and in Our goal is to help improve the lives of women and girls around the world for generations to come.” . We must invest in youth development and mentor young leaders for gender equality. ”
To participate in the fundraiser or for more information, email Rouse at ahszonta@gmail.com or call or text Donakowski at 989-464-5440. A GoFundMe link will also be added to the Z Club’s Facebook page.
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