Firehouse Subs awards middle school more than $1,200 in life-saving tools | Restaurants

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is awarding much needed equipment to Table Rock Middle School during a ceremony at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at the Lenoir Firehouse Subs restaurant.

Otherwise unavailable due to budget constraints, the school benefits with a Cardiac Science Automated External Defibrillator (AED) worth more than $1,200. The donated device will ensure the school is prepared to provide life-saving assistance if a student, staff member or visitor goes into cardiac arrest. Since 2005, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has donated more than $381,100 to public safety entities in North Carolina.

"An automated external defibrillator can be the difference between life and death in sudden cardiac arrest victims," said Brian Hammond, franchisee of the Hickory Firehouse Subs location. "The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, along with the support of our restaurants, is honored to give back to our school system."

Each restaurant recycles leftover, five-gallon pickle buckets and sells them to guests for $2. Donation canisters on register counters explain the non-profit's mission and collect spare change, while the round up program allows guests to literally "round up" their bill to the nearest dollar.

The presentation takes place at the Firehouse Subs located at 417 Blowing Rock Blvd. in Lenoir. Attendees to the event include local firefighters and their families, franchisee Brian Hammond, area representative Tim Goss, regional marketing manager Marisa Burton and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation development manager Meghan Bender.