By Brittany Wise

East Grayson County Fire Department and St. Paul Catholic School are joining together to host a fundraiser to purchase an AED, or Automated External Defibrillator, for the school.

“We’re the only school in the county that doesn’t have [an AED],” said Joan Butterworth, a teacher at SPCS, “and we feel that it would be very important to have this. We want one for the school and one in the cafeteria for community events.”

Area schools were prompted to purchase the devices by the sad and untimely death of 13-year-old Keith Walker, who collapsed during a middle school basketball practice in 2008.

Walker’s parents, Michael and Amy, immediately began a crusade that raised funds and placed AEDs throughout the community so that other families could avoid such tragedy.

Dr. Walker said recently that thanks to the generous donations from community members, the fund created at that time still exists, and a portion of those funds will go to St. Paul Catholic School for their AED.

“It’s the community’s money,” Walker said, “We are still thankful for the people who donated, and are going to use it for the community.”

The fundraising event, which will be held at the school on Sunday, March 4, will include a bean soup and chili supper and auction.

The supper is slated to begin at 4 pm, with the auction starting up at 6:30 pm.

Lieutenant Ed Darst, of the East Grayson County Fire Department, stressed the importance of the cause, and asked that community members feel free not only to donate money to the goal, but to feel free to bring baked goods and other such items to be auctioned on Sunday evening.