In the Spring of 2022, Living for Zachary was honored to receive support from not one, but two funders as we prepare to launch our new SuperHeart Schools Program in the Fall of 2022! Grants amounting to $25,000 each were awarded by The Moody Foundation and State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program, with funds going directly towards the implementation of school-based programming for sudden cardiac arrest prevention and response on campus.
While these grant funds from The Moody Foundation were awarded through a traditional application process, the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program took a community-based approach to allow the public to decide which organizations would win grant funding. In early Spring 2022, the program accepted 4,000 submissions nationwide from non-profit organizations. Living for Zachary was selected as a top 200 finalist, with public voting taking place from April 27th-May 6th to determine the top 100 winners of a $25,000 grant. On June 7th, Living for Zachary was publicly announced as a winner.
With a program value of approximately $24,000 for each school participating in the SuperHeart Schools Program, these grants will enable Living for Zachary to implement this program into two North Texas middle or high schools during the 2022-2023 school year. We are incredibly grateful to The Moody Foundation and State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program for their recognition and support of youth heart health!
About the SuperHeart Schools Program
The SuperHeart Schools Program seeks to prepare middle and high schools across North Texas to respond heroically to cardiac emergencies on campus. Through this program, Living for Zachary will work to
expand its impact and further address the crisis of SCA in youth through a whole-school approach to adolescent heart health through life-saving programs provided directly to students, staff, and faculty.
Schools enrolled in the SuperHeart Schools Program will receive the following resources during the 6-week program duration:
- On campus heart screenings provided for students ages 12-22 to help detect abnormalities that may lead to SCA
- Evaluation of current AED coverage and placement of additional AEDs on campus as needed
- CPR/AED certification for teachers and staff, with CPR awareness training for students
- Educational resources and fun awareness events for students, teachers, staff, and families
- Guided support in the implementation of a school Hero Team and Hero Plan to address cardiac emergencies on campus, so every member of the school community can be a Heart Hero when it matters most