A national health and safety training company that specializes in first aid, CPR and defibrillators says it has signed a multi-year partnership with Pickleball Canada.
The new agreement is just one of the initiatives that will be celebrated this Friday, Jan. 26 at Rescue 7’s eighth annual Winter Carnival at the Heights of Horseshoe Ski and Country Club on Horseshoe Valley Road West, north of Barrie.
Billed as fun for the whole family, the carnival will run from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will also feature horse-drawn sleigh rides, silent and live auction, pancake breakfast, 50-50 raffle, wine and beer tasting, skiing and snowboarding (rentals available) and more.
"Ultimate Leaf Fan" Mike Wilson will also be in attendance selling his most recent book, The Ultimate True Tales from Beer League Hockey. All proceeds from book sales will go to purchasing AEDs for hockey rinks that do not have one.
Tickets are $30 in advance or $45 at the door with all proceeds going toward the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund and the Rescue 7 Forward Hearts Program. Both programs donate defibrillators to charities and non-profit organizations in Canada.
"The game of pickleball has taken Canada by a storm, and it is incredible to see the sport gaining popularity in cities and towns across the country," Rescue 7 CEO John Collie said in a news release.
"Sport and safety go hand in hand, and Rescue 7 is committed to keeping Canadians safe as they hit the court. We are thrilled to partner with Pickleball Canada and we are excited to see what we can accomplish together," he added.
Collie, a longtime firefighter in the Toronto area, says he knew through responding to emergencies that many tragedies can be prevented, and out of this grew the Rescue 7 mission.
According to Rescue 7, preparation, education, and training are key when it comes to responding to cardiac arrest.
That's why safety, CPR training and knowledge around AEDs (automated external defibrillators) paramount for all age groups, the company says.
To date, Rescue 7 and its partner Coromed in the U.S. have deployed more than 200,000 units across North America and are featured in multiple key retailers and facilities across the country.
“Pickleball Canada is very pleased to welcome Rescue 7 as our latest partner in the health and safety training category,” said Val Vollmin, president of Pickleball Canada.
“As a leading health and safety training organization, this company should be a great addition for our affiliated clubs to be equipped with the necessary tools and resources to save lives. Pickleball Canada is looking to bringing Rescue 7’s health and safety tips to the pickleball community," Vollmin added.
In the coming days, Rescue 7 says it will begin rolling out a "preferred pricing program" for the AEDs for Pickleball Canada member clubs along with CPR, AED, and first-aid training.
For more information, visit pickleballcanada.org or www.rescue7.net.
For more on the winter carnival, go to click here.
