January 10, 2024 outside Burbank Ice Arena for Jim Liston's celebration.
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On December 19th 2023, Burbank Ice Arena board member James Liston, collapsed on the ice during stick practice and suffered a heart attack. Assistant Manager Jim Brown and Office Manager Melissa Vecchio, both sprung into action after being notified of a skater being down. Melissa immediately called 911 while Jim single-handedly dragged Mr. Liston across the ice, attached the arenas defibrillator and performed CPR. Reading Police and Fire showed up minutes later and transported Mr. Liston to the Lahey Clinic.
Today, Mr. Liston has made a full recovery and an event was held at the Burbank Ice Arena to celebrate his success story as well as all of the individuals that came together to save his life. Below is our video from this incredible event.
Thanks for making this video. I was one of the skaters at the rink that day when Jim suffered his heart attack. All of us were witnesses to a miracle. Seeing Jim yesterday was a wonderful experience. So happy to be able to watch it again. Thanks again.
On January 15, 2024, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebrates a Legacy of Courage, Peace, and Justice.
Reading Public Library (RPL), Reading, MA—On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, at the Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center (PAC), join us for a joyous community breakfast at 9:30 am and stay for the inspirational program from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Following a welcome from Albert Pless, Reading’s Director of Equity and Social Justice, the Reading Clergy Association will offer an Interfaith Invocation. You’ll enjoy performances by the RMHS Mixed Choir and the Korean Church of the Nazarene Choir, as well as a student presentation from Students Of Color & Allies for Equity, Justice, and Inclusion (SOCA4EJI) and a special video presentation from Anna Cuevas, Video Production Instructor at RCTV Studios and Reading Memorial High School.
Our guest speaker, Latifa Turner Ziyad is a New England native who grew up in Roxbury, MA. Mrs. Ziyad was the first Director of Economic Development for MACDC, the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations and the first African American Muslim Woman to lead a major social justice based interreligious organization in the United States. Her work in championing equity and racial justice led her to pursue a masters in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University and an Associates in Broadcast Media Technology from Roxbury Community College. She owns 313WON Productions, a media company for social good.
This year’s program theme is “A Legacy of Courage, Peace, and Justice.” Everyone is welcome to attend this commemoration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his ongoing influence in the world.
For more details, contact the Office of Equity & Social Justice, oesj@ci.reading.ma.us. The event location is wheelchair accessible and ASL translators are available on request. We look forward to seeing you there!
Thanks for making this video. I was one of the skaters at the rink that day when Jim suffered his heart attack. All of us were witnesses to a miracle. Seeing Jim yesterday was a wonderful experience. So happy to be able to watch it again. Thanks again.
You are most welcome. It was truly a miracle and will do wonders for spreading the word about CPR and Training.