T-L Photo/SHELLEY HANSON ST. JOHN Central Academy of Bellaire students donate CPR mannequins to East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry on Wednesday. From left are the Metz sisters, Maya, Gianna and Cora; Zac Gianangeli; Bernie Albertini, EORH’s COO; Vince Gianangeli, principal of St. John; and Eric Schnegg. Pull quote: “It’s heartwarming to have the community support us like this.” Bernie Albertini, COO of East Ohio Regional Hospital St. John students donate CPR mannequins to EORH

MARTINS FERRY — St. John Central Academy of Bellaire donated CPR mannequins to East Ohio Regional Hospital on Wednesday.

Bernie Albertini, chief operating officer of EORH, said the mannequins will be used to train staff members in cardiopulmonary resuscitation but may be used to train the public in the future during community events.

Vince Gianangeli, principal of St. John, said the school’s students raised money for the endeavor by paying $2 each Friday to “dress down,” or wear street clothes instead of their usual uniforms.

He said proceeds from “dress down day” are given to various charities throughout the year. The mannequins were purchased by the school at a discounted price from Prestan Products, which is owned by one of the school’s board members, Christopher Bryiarski.

Giananegli said the school believes it is important to give back to the community.

“St. John Central Academy family welcomes the reopening of EORH and thanks Dr. (John) Johnson for his commitment made to the hospital, its staff, the administration and the city of Martins Ferry and their residents, and all those from the surrounding area that will benefit from services the hospital will provide,” he said.

Giananegli demonstrated how the training mannequins work, showing how different colored lights alert the trainee about whether they are doing the CPR correctly. Donated were four adult mannequins and one baby mannequin.

“We’ll use these for staff development, which is something we’re doing constantly,” Albertini said. “It’s heartwarming to have the community support us like this.”

Mayor John Davies said it was great that St. John was supporting EORH. He said he was glad the students were being taught to give back to the community.