PEABODY — Peabody West Little League received a heartfelt donation Thursday evening when Atlantic Ambulance gifted the league an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) device for us at all league events.
The device — which was requested by Peabody West Vice President Alex Kallianidis — was dropped off at the league’s clubhouse on Lowell Street, where Atlantic Ambulance EMTs went through a tutorial on how to operate it.
“”We are so thankful for Atlantic’s generous donation of an AED and the training associated with it,” said Kallianidis. “Atlantic has also offered to host our annual spring safety meeting with coaches and volunteers which includes AED training. The AED will stay at our indoor facility during our winter workouts and relocate to the fields during the spring, summer, and fall months. Our number one priority is player safety, which also includes coaches, volunteers, parents and their families.”
“In this most turbulent time when we are keenly focused on a pandemic, we cannot lose focus on all the other risks that exist for our society,” said Dennis Cataldo, President and CEO of Atlantic Ambulance. “When I was contacted by Mr. Kallianidis regarding their need for an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) I was intent on assisting. There have been far too many cases across the nation where AEDs are not accessible, the opportunity to make a donation right here in Peabody was easily justified. In the most unexpected times, putting lifesaving equipment in the hands of others just makes sense. It extends the capabilities of the entire EMS system and greatly increases the opportunity for a favorable outcome in a cardiac event.”
The plan is to use the device at the league’s clubhouse over the winter and then install it in a central location at 1st Lt. Robert Ross Park in the spring to have it available during league games. Also in the spring, Atlantic will put on an AED training for anyone in the league who wishes to attend as part of our annual safety meeting.
“Peabody West Little League is honored that Atlantic Ambulance, a valued sponsor of our league, has donated the AED to us,” said Peabody West President John Horgan. “The significance of having an AED on hand in the event of an emergency is huge. Obtaining an AED for 1st Lt. Ross Park, the home of Peabody West Little League, has been a priority for us. Alex Kallianidis, our league V.P. and the great folks at Atlantic Ambulance deserve all the credit for making this happen. Not only has Atlantic Ambulance stepped up by donating the AED, they have gone the extra distance by providing safety training to our entire league. It’s reassuring to know we now have the equipment should a situation arise where an AED can help save a life. I have been involved with Peabody West Little League for a number of years and it’s inspiring to see the level of support we receive from our sponsors year after year. Our sponsors always find a way to answer the call to help us continually improve our league, both on and off the field.”
Peabody West Little League was established in 1963 and is part of Massachusetts Little League District 16.
The namesake of the league’s home field, 1st Lt. Robert L. Ross, graduated from Peabody High School in 1964 and entered the U.S. Army in 1966. After completing Officers Candidate School, Ross was deployed to fight in the Vietnam War. Ross was killed in action at the age of 22 in Darlac Province, Vietnam on August 22, 1968, while serving as a Forward Observer with 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division; assigned to Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 9th Artillery. Ross was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Citation. The field was dedicated on May 4, 1969.
