Attention all Veterans in the West Chester, PA area!

Please join Wellington, Wellsprings, Willowtree Hospice, and Oasis in conjunction with the Veteran's Outreach Program for the very first Veterans Resource Expo! 

Taking place on Thursday, November 7th from 1:30pm-4:30pm, the expo will feature representatives from the American Legion, VA Regional benefits office, Chester County Veteran Affairs, Chester Recorder of Deeds, Coatesville Medical Center, and more. 

Attendees will receive free access to a variety of resources, services, lunch, and much more. All veterans and families are welcome, but space is limited.

Please RSVP to April Soublis at 484-263-5995. 

*Veterans should bring a copy of their DD214*

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is an emergency life-saving device for use in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. It is a portable device that analyses the heart rhythm and administers an electrical charge to the heart if needed.

On December 16, 2009, David died of a suspected heart arrhythmia at the age of 20. Since that day, David’s sister, Samantha, wanted to save other families from the heartache of a similar experience. In memory of David, David’s Drive 831 purchased an AED for the Downingtown VFW.

Placing AEDs in the community can dramatically reduce the time from collapse to defibrillation and can greatly improve survival rates. Our hope is that it will never be needed, but in the event that it is, our hope is that it will save a family the agony of losing a family member due to a cardiac event. An AED is designed to be easy to use and very safe, as it will only charge if the machine determines a shockable rhythm is present. Thank you to all veterans. 

On December 16th 2009 at 5:45pm, my wife came home from work and found my 20 year old son unresponsive in his car in the driveway, he had just returned from work, his doors were locked and the engine was running. She called into the house for help, my 18 year old daughter and I ran outside to try to help. I shook the car to try to get my son to wake up, he did not. I punched out his window and dragged him onto the driveway where my wife and I performed C.P.R. on him until the emergency medical personnel arrived.

The ambulance transported him to Brandywine Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6:40 pm. Even after an autopsy, the coroner could find nothing that caused David’s death; he was perfectly healthy, the cause of death was documented as a suspected heart arrhythmia.

David graduated in 2007 from Coatesville High School located in Coatesville, PA. David worked at the Coatesville VA Medical Center and was saddened to learn that many of the veterans he served had to do without items he considered essential; underwear, socks, t-shirts and personal items. David had a vision to change that, in David’s memory, with your help, we will.

Learn more about David and his legacy here