The Roselle Park PBA (Police Benevolent Association) Local 27 and Mayor Carl Hokanson donated two (2) AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) units to the Community United Methodist Church (CUMC) and Preschool located at 301 Chestnut Street.
Patrolman Gregory Polakoski learned that the child care center was in need of one after reading to a class in the preschool for Reading Across America. The preschool has around 70 children enrolled and the CUMC currently serves three congregations. Although there is no legal mandate for pre-schools to have one – Janet’s Law covers grades kindergarten through 12th grade (link) – preschool assistant director Sonya Leingang, who is CPR/First Aid/AED-trained, discussed the importance of one with Patrolman Polakoski. The officer’s response was simple, “I’ll see what I can do.”
This morning, Patrolman Polakoski returned with officers from the Roselle Park Police Department (RPPD) as well as Mayor Carl Hokanson to deliver two units – one for the church and one for the preschool.
Mayor Hokanson commented, “The PBA brought it up at their meeting that they were going to donate [one] and I donated the other one from the money I make out of doing weddings and stuff. I’m very pleased that the community comes together.”
The units were donated at no cost to the church or preschool.
“We’re extremely grateful,” said Mrs. Leingang, “It was quick. We were happy and surprised how quickly the response was.”
RP PBA representative and RPPD Patrolman Polakoski remarked, “The PBA is just happy to help out the community we protect and serve.”
Photographs below courtesy and property of Roselle Park PBA Local 27. Feel free to click on each image for larger view.
Left photograph has (from left to right) Captain Daniel McCaffery, Chief Paul Morrison, Sonya Leingang, Pam Henn, Mayor Carl Hokanson, Sergeant Michael Wielgus and Patrolman Greg Polakoski.
Right photograph has Police Chief Paul Morrison and Sonya Leingang.