Fundraiser to Help Purchase Automatic External Defibrillator

A local charity is holding a fundraiser next month to raise money for defibrillators at area pools.

The Connor Cares Foundation will host the event at J. King's Restaurant in Gambrills on Sept. 15, and beneficiaries could include pools in the Severna Park area.

Cindy Neseth operates the North Severna Park pool and inquired to the Connor Cares Foundation about obtaining an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).

The Connor Cares Foundation was founded in memory of Connor Freed, a 5-year-old boy who drowned in a Crofton pool in 2006.

As of July 2012, Anne Arundel County that requires automated external defibrillators at local public and semi-public pools.

Neseth said in an email to Patch the cost of an AED—about $1,500—is prohibitive to many community pools, including North Severna Park. She reached out to the foundation to see about a donation.

The organization donated an AED to the Waugh Chapel Swim Club where it was on hand—but ultimately not used—when lifeguards saved.

The nonprofit group responded to Neseth and said they are being flooded with requests and therefore are hosting a fundraiser to help raise money to purchase more AED's for public pools.

The fundraiser is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at J. King's in Gambrills. Tickets are $20.

For more information, visit www.connorcares.org.

Does your Severna Park community pool have an AED?