Ronald McDonald Joins SALF Instructor Juan Sotomayor at Monroe Elementary

November 22, 2004

Return to the News Index

Chicago, IL - November 22, 2004 - Monroe Elementary School was graced with the presence of McDonald's icon and long-time public figurehead, Ronald McDonald, during an in-school, life supporting first aid (LSFA) training session led by Juan Sotomayor, a long-time Save A Life Foundation (SALF) instructor and Chicagoland FF/EMT.

Monroe Elementary, a predominantly Hispanic school headed by Principal Menconi, is on a long list of local elementary schools co-sponsored by Chicago Public Schools and Ronald McDonald House Charities, both globally and at the regional level (Chicago and Northwest Indiana branches), to be educated in LSFA techniques. The training program was presented in four, one-hour sessions to more than 120 4th grade students, and covered how to recognize an emergency situation, contact both local Police and Firefighters using 911, open an airway, control the bleeding of an injured person and the Heimlich maneuver for infants, children and adults.  In addition, there were hands-on activities, which allowed the children to demonstrate the proper administration of the Heimlich maneuver on mannequins and how to properly care for someone experiencing rapid blood loss.

In 1998, the Chicago Board of Education passed a resolution, which incorporated SALF's training programs to the children in each of their 630 schools. Monroe Elementary witnessed SALF's training program, and has eagerly welcomed SALF back to annually prepare their schoolchildren for unexpected emergencies.  SALF training sessions encompass many vital skills, which are essential in a schoolchild's quest to become properly emergency prepared.