Lions aid Monessen police

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

When the Monessen Lions Club heard the city’s police department needed a little help, its members didn’t need much time to think about it — they jumped at the chance.

This week, club President Joe Manko presented police Chief Jim Smith with a $3,000 check to buy three new automated external defibrillators after Smith reached out to the Lions last month with a request.

Lions Club fundraiser Chairman Tim Billick said the club is willing to help anyone who needs it.

“We’re always receptive to the Mon Valley EMS and the Monessen Volunteer fire departments and the police department,” Billick said. 

Smith reached out to the Lions last month after his officers completed training on how to use AEDs, and he realized how out of date his existing equipment was. 

Smith said the new technology available on the AEDs he ordered with the Lions Club donation leaves less room for officer error.

He got a recommendation from Mon Valley EMS for the type of AED to purchase and ordered the devices after the Lions OK’d the donation. 

Working with a community-minded group like the Lions means a lot to the police department, Smith said. 

“It’s absolutely amazing for us because it’s money we don’t have to raise or take from a training account or from other officer supplies because they furnish it for us,” Smith said. “It saves the taxpayers a lot of money. It’s unbelievable to have such a great group of selfless individuals.”

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