Latest news with #ProjectLifesaver
CTV News
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Northern Ontario boomer's catchy tune raises money for charities
President of North Bay's search and rescue, Stan French, released a song and music video celebrating boomer life, with proceeds supporting local charities linked to Project Lifesaver. Eric Taschner explains.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Search and rescue president records whimsical Boomer song to support Project Lifesaver
Stan French, a North Bay man who is the president of the Bay Search and Rescue program released a whimsical tune Wednesday about the joys and challenges of being a retired boomer. A North Bay man who is the president of the Bay Search and Rescue program released a whimsical tune Wednesday about the joys and challenges of being a retired boomer. Stan French said all proceeds will go to charities that rely on Project Lifesaver. 'As a boomer, you've got that freedom to try and stay active,' French said. Boomer2 Stan French, a North Bay man who is the president of the Bay Search and Rescue program released a whimsical tune Wednesday about the joys and challenges of being a retired boomer. (Photo from video) The name of the song came while he was on his way to play old timers' hockey at the West Ferris arena, when he started thinking that being a boomer isn't bad at all. He started to hum a catchy melody and decided to write lyrics and record the uplifting tune. 'As a retired senior, you're going to have the challenges and losses -- things like losses of friends or losses of things like eyesight and hearing,' French said. 'There's going to be challenges. But if you can laugh at those and say that's part of life, that's good.' With the help of his boomer bandmates -- Pat O'Kane, Chris Clarke, Bob Bartlett, Neil Kennedy, Linda McCarthy and Janis Herzog -- French recorded 'Being a Boomer Ain't Bad.' He also released a video for the song on major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Boomer3 Proceeds from the song will go to charities that rely on Project Lifesaver. (File) The video shows French staying active by playing hockey, curling and pickleball, saying hello to his neighbours, taking a cruise and seeing the doctor -- while also forgetting sometimes where he is. French said he'll donate all royalties to One Kids Place, The Alzheimer Society of North Bay and Sudbury, and the Victorian Order of Nurses SMILE Program. The three charities refer clients to Bay Search and Rescue (BAYSAR) and support families needing Project Lifesaver, of which French is president. 'This will be great for us … and help more seniors with having more of that money and keeping them safe at home as long as possible,' said SMILE Program case coordinator Abbey Robarts. One Kids Place currently has 30 children who are on the autism spectrum in the program. The money there will go to offset the cost of Project Lifesaver enrolment. A comfort to families 'It's incredibly comforting to families that they have a number to call, and it immediately mobilizes a team to go and find their child,' said Jesse Reid, the One Kids Place volunteer coordinator. To help kick-start fundraising and improve access so more seniors with dementia can get Project Lifesaver, the Rotary Club of North Bay has provided BAYSAR with $2,000. That money will be used to provide Project Lifesaver at no cost to families with low incomes or no other source of funding. Currently, 56 clients in the District of Nipissing are fitted with a Project Lifesaver transmitter that could help police locate them should they ever wander off. However, French said many people still haven't heard about it. 'We're almost up at the point where we'll have one client for every thousand people in the community,' he said. He's hoping the song becomes an instant classic and an earworm that people will have stuck in their heads. People can also visit French's website to make a direct donation to the charity of their choice. 'I'm going to give them some enjoyment with the song, and hopefully they all return the favor by donating,' he said.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Elgin OPP launches Project Lifesaver
Elgin OPP has officially launched Project Lifesaver in the area. The project is a 'community-based, public safety, non-profit organization that provides locating technology.' The aim is to help find vulnerable people, like those with dementia and cognitive-related disabilities, who are 'prone to wander.' Community members can register their loved ones with Project Lifesaver, who will then wear a wristband that looks similar to a watch. The band will give off a tracking location to police to quickly find the missing person. Project Lifesaver Elgin OPP Terri Snell with Victim Services Elgin holds a Project Lifesaver wristband. (Source: Elgin OPP) According to a news release, those who are part of Project Lifesaver are typically found within 30 minutes. No person part of the project has died since its inception in 2005. If you are interested in partaking in Project Lifesaver, you can contact Victim Services Elgin at 519-631-3182.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Missing tot with autism rescued from retention pond in Kissimmee after hours-long search
The Brief A 3-year-old boy with autism went missing in Kissimmee and was found in a nearby retention pond after hours of searching. A helicopter and local responders played a key role in his miraculous rescue, just before tragedy struck. The family expressed immense gratitude, as experts remind others of the dangers of wandering near water for children with autism. KISSIMMEE, Fla. - A 3-year-old boy with autism went missing in Kissimmee and was found in a nearby retention pond after hours of searching. What we know A 3-year-old boy with mental disabilities was reported missing in Kissimmee after vanishing from his family's backyard while playing on a swing. The incident sparked a large-scale search, including air support from the sheriff's office. The child was eventually located chest-deep in a nearby retention pond and rescued by deputies in what officials and family called a miraculous rescue. The boy had been missing for several hours, and video footage captured the rescue as a helicopter hovered overhead and a woman in a golf cart near the scene made a crucial 911 call. Deputies quickly reached the child and reunited him with his family. What we don't know It remains unclear how long the child had been in the water before being found, or how close he was to drowning. Authorities have not disclosed the exact timeline between when the child was reported missing and when he was discovered. It's also unknown whether the backyard had any fencing or protective barriers, or if the family had prior concerns about the child's tendency to wander. The backstory The family, visiting from New York, had gathered in Kissimmee to celebrate the child's birthday. He was playing on a swing when his mother briefly turned away—only to discover moments later that he was gone. Given the child's developmental challenges, the family and neighbors quickly mobilized, fearing the worst. Law enforcement said the boy wandered from Josefina Drive, where the family was staying. The retention pond where he was found was within the neighborhood, underscoring how quickly a child can disappear from view and find themselves in danger. Big picture view This case highlights a recurring danger facing children with autism or other disabilities: a tendency to wander, often toward bodies of water. Several recent Florida cases have ended in tragedy, including drownings in Volusia County, Orlando, and Lake Buena Vista. Experts emphasize the importance of proactive safety measures for vulnerable children. Programs like "Project Lifesaver," which provides free GPS tracking bracelets, aim to prevent such close calls — or worse — from happening. What they're saying The family expressed immense relief and gratitude to the first responders who found their child. "The actions of the sheriff's office, the fire department were very fast. Thank God nothing happened, and we celebrate his life," a family member said. The child's mother described the chaos and desperation during the search. "My husband, the family, everyone tried to find him, in the neighborhood… it was crazy. But the helicopter… believe me, it was terrible, very stressful," she added. Another family member credited a passerby with playing a pivotal role. "There was a lady walking around the lake, and she called 911… and I think she saved that life." As the child was rescued and returned to his family, emotion was palpable. "We are very grateful. Thank you, God… thank you sheriff," a family member said. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
CBS News
01-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Project Lifesaver tracking devices are relief to parents of kids with autism who may wander
Project Lifesaver technology is a great relief for parents of kids with autism Project Lifesaver technology is a great relief for parents of kids with autism Project Lifesaver technology is a great relief for parents of kids with autism Wednesday marked the last day of Autism Awareness Month, and in Northwest Indiana, a tiny tool is providing huge relief to parents of children with autism who may be prone to wandering off. Several local fire and police departments are signed up for a program called Project Lifesaver. The program involves distribution of a purple plastic device on a wristband, which looks like a watch — but does not tell time. It reveals location. A first responder carries a transmitter to track the device. "As soon as we turn it on, it starts searching for that frequency," said Crown Point Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Cusak. "We start hearing the beeps as long as that receiver is close." The Crown Point Project Lifesaver database includes the elderly and people with autism — two groups that are prone to walking off. "We go to the last known location of where the client was last seen, and we will start a grid based on how long they've been gone," said Crown Point Fire Department Project Lifesaver Coordinator Natalie Ferrantella. About 30 people wear tracking bracelets in the Crown Point area of Northwest Indiana. Calls to track them may be infrequent, but Project Lifesaver did not get its name by accident. "It just could have been so awful," said Misty Montalbano. Montalbano's older son, Declan, has autism. He recently took off from the family's Crown Point home a few years back and wound up barefoot on a busy road. "There's no sidewalks there. There are yards that are open with swimming pools. He loves water. Many of these autistic kids do," Montalbano said. "It was a little over 20 minutes before he was located, but it was the longest 20 minutes of my life." Lake County, Indiana deputies told Declan's parents about Project Lifesaver that day. Declan now wears a Project Lifesaver ankle monitor. "This stays on him 24/7," Montalbano said. "He sleeps in it, showers in it." Declan has not wandered away again. But thousands of Project Lifesaver participants have. At least 4,443 rescues across the U.S. are credited to the technology. The person with the Project Lifesaver receiver follows where the signal seems strongest. The Dyer Fire Department, 13 miles from Crown Point, is also now part of Project Lifesaver. It is one of the newest agencies in the country to offer the program to residents — for free. "It came from the need that arose from a few instances of EMS calls where people were wandering," said Dyer Fire Chief Joe Martin. "Obviously, there was a delay in finding them. It was kind of like finding a needle in a haystack." Expanding the Project Lifesaver network is a goal. "The more fire departments that get involved, the more clients we can serve," said Ferrantella. Families like Declan's are very pleased Project Lifesaver is out there. "Being the parent of a special-needs child is a lot of anxiety," Montalbano said. "I can't even tell you how thankful I am that something like this exists." Some people are surprised that Project Lifesaver technology is low-tech, and based on radio frequency. For this purpose, it actually works better than some popular products like Apple Watches. The nonprofit that runs Project Lifesaver said its bands only need batteries replaced every month or so, instead of needing to be charged daily. The devices even work underwater.
