Students attend CPR training class at A.D. Johnston High School

BESSEMER - Students from local schools took part in a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation training course in the A.D. Johnston High School library in Bessemer on Friday.

Jim LaJoie, executive director of the Superior Health Foundation in Marquette, said funding for the event was run through SHF.

"Essentially, the American Red Cross submitted a mini-grant to us," LaJoie said.

According to the SHF website, "The Superior Health Foundation provides funding in the form of mini-grants for projects that have an immediate, positive and long-lasting effect for the health and well-being of the residents of the Upper Peninsula."

Russ Maki, a member of the Ironwood Kiwanis Club, said 25 students were taking part in the event, mostly from Bessemer.

Two girls from Luther L. Wright in Ironwood attended the course and were sponsored by Ironwood Kiwanis, Maki said.

This kind of programming supports the mission of SHF, LaJoie said, which includes health education.

"Our goal is for families, neighbors and all residents of the Upper Peninsula to work together to build healthier neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all residents," the SHF website said.

LaJoie said the CPR course being taught Friday was basically a pilot program for future programs the foundation hopes to have in other schools across the U.P.

"It's great," he said of being able to offer the course. "We're thankful Bessemer was willing to take part in this."

The hope is that students in Friday's course may be able to attend the trainings at other schools and assist in teaching their peers life-saving techniques, LaJoie said.

The CPR program is an "... educational opportunity for kids to potentially save lives," LaJoie said. "You never know when you're going to need this. It's a perfect example of health dollars saving lives."

For more information about the Superior Health Foundation, visit superiorhealthfoundation.org.

For more about the American Red Cross, visit redcross.org.