by Elena De La Cruz on 2016-05-12

SAN BERNARDINO >> The recently ended Stater Bros. Charities fundraising campaign “Have a Heart, Save a Heart” raised $391,720 for the American Heart Association (AHA) by selling $1 and $5 paper hearts at registers in Stater Bros. supermarkets throughout Southern California. The campaign has raised over $5 million for the fight against heart disease and stroke since it launched in 2002. The Yucca Valley Stater Bros. grocery stores and their patrons were the most successful fundraisers of the 169 Stater Bros. grocery stores engaged in the annual campaign. A symbolic check presentation took place at Yucca Valley High School last March 24th, with representatives from Stater Bros., the AHA, Yucca Valley High School, and the Superintendent of the Yucca Valley School District, Tom Baumgarten. After the presentation, 120 students were trained in Hands-Only CPR, one of the programs benefited by the campaign. Thanks to a Stater Bros. donation, the school was able to keep the CPR in Schools Training Kits to train more students in the future. “Yucca Valley High School is very proud of our community and the patrons of Stater Bros. for raising the most money for the American Heart Association and Stater Bros. Charities 'Have a Heart, Save a Heart” campaign,'” stated Yucca Valley High School Assistant Principal, Michael Ruggiero. “We were very excited to hold the CPR in Schools program on our campus, and we are thankful for the generous donation of two CPR in Schools Training Kits for our campus,” he added. “The fact that we have the chance to see this important training in action with local students is inspiring,” commented Stater Bros. Markets President and Chief Executive Officer Pete Van Helden. “One of them may be called upon to help save a life and do so successfully. We’re simply thankful to be part of the teaching process,” he added.