On September 25, 2024, Elk member and founder of the Westbrook Strong 5K Foundation, Gary Rairdon, presented to ER Joe Winschel a new AED device for the Portland Lodge 188. Gary and Laurie Rairdon started the Westbrook Strong 5K Road Race in 2013 after the death of their son Matthew. Matt was a graduate of Saint Joseph’s College School of Nursing and was employed as an ER nurse at Mercy Hospital at the time of his death.
The road race was started in his memory and now a decade later, the Matthew Rairdon Scholarship Fund at Saint Joseph’s College is given annually to a nursing student. In addition, they continue to purchase medical equipment for Mercy Hospital and most recently started supporting other businesses in the community close to their hearts. When the Portland, ME Lodge looked into purchasing an AED machine, Gary and Laurie quickly stepped in, and the Westbrook Strong 5K Foundation agreed to purchase the equipment. The Westbrook, ME Fire Department has offered to do an on-site training for Elk members now that the device has been received by the Lodge.