The Old Stone Fort Receives Life a Saving Donation

The Old Stone Fort Museum and Schoharie County Historical Society received a life-saving donation this week in the form of a Philips HeartStart AED. The defibrillator was donated by the Darryl W. Van Dyke Memorial Fund administered through the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.

“The safety of our volunteers, staff and visitors is our most important concern at the museum complex,” said Old Stone Fort Museum Director Melinda McTaggart. “As we continue to offer more programming and activities, the risk of an incident grows as well. We hope it is never needed but it brings a level of comfort to know we will have this equipment on hand and ready to use.”

The museum’s new defibrillator is just one of more than a dozen units which have been obtained and distributed to businesses, churches, first responders and community organizations throughout Schoharie County and the Capital District since the Darryl W. Van Dyke Memorial Fund was founded by Georgia Van Dyke in 2003.

It was the sudden passing of her husband Darryl Van Dyke from a heart attack in February of 2002 which Ms. Van Dyke said sparked her personal passion for ensuring the life-saving devices were in place and available when and where they are needed most.

“There are so many ways in this life to avoid catastrophes if we have the ability and foresight to plan ahead,” said Ms. Van Dyke. “I needed one and didn’t have one and I want to help prevent that from happening to someone else. You never know when and where someone will be in need, but these AEDs might give someone the opportunity to live. That makes it worth it.”

While Ms. Van Dyke said she knew what she wanted to accomplish with creation of the foundation, she said it would have never gotten off the ground without the assistance of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, including team members such as Shelly Connelly, and the unwavering support and generosity of Howard and Deborah Bell.