Courtesy Photo Pied Piper students hold the AED and signs reading ‘donated in memory of Wes Leonard.’

ALPENA — The Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service District is proud to announce the receipt of a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for Pied Piper School, they said in a press release on Tuesday.

The AED was donated by the Wes Leonard Heart Team. This vital addition to Pied Piper underscores the shared commitment to student safety and the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest in schools.

The Wes Leonard Heart Team, established in memory of Wes Leonard — a talented athlete from Fennville High School who tragically succumbed to sudden cardiac arrest in 2011 — has been dedicated to ensuring that educational institutions are equipped with AEDs. Their mission is to provide AEDs to schools and organizations in Michigan to facilitate life-saving procedures.

“We are grateful to the Wes Leonard Heart Team for this generous donation,” said Justin Gluesing, superintendent of AMA ESD. “Having a new, upgraded AED on-site at Pied Piper School significantly enhances our emergency preparedness.”

“The Wes Leonard Heart Team is honored to provide an AED to Piper School in memory of Wesley,” Jocelyn Leonard, mother of Wes Leonard and a driving force behind the foundation, said. “We are proud of Pied Piper running medical emergency drills and knowing that a working AED is a big part of that success.”

The AMA ESD remains committed to the health and safety of its students and staff. This AED donation is a significant step in bolstering emergency preparedness and ensuring that life-saving equipment is readily accessible when needed, the release said.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.