When someone experiences cardiac arrest, the person standing nearby may become the most important person in the room. Knowing CPR can make the difference in those first critical minutes.

That is why BBM Structural is once again putting CPR and First Aid education at the center of our fundraising efforts for the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Walk.

This year, BBM President Bora Erbilen has set an initial goal of raising $5,000 to provide a CPR & First Aid Anywhere Training Kit to a local school. Reaching that milestone will fund the kit, but we hope to keep the momentum going and raise even more in support of the American Heart Association.

The impact of that kit can continue long after this year’s Heart Walk. Once a facilitator is trained, the equipment can be used to teach students for the next three to five years, giving more young people the skills and confidence to respond during a cardiac emergency.

Continuing an Effort That Reaches Local Schools

This is a cause BBM has supported for several years. Previous fundraising efforts have resulted in CPR and First Aid training kits being placed at Tohopekaliga High School in Kissimmee and University High School in Volusia County.

For BBM, seeing those kits reach local classrooms has given the Heart Walk campaign a very tangible purpose. Each year offers another opportunity to put lifesaving training directly into the hands of students.

The cause also remains deeply personal to our team. Bora’s daughter, Didem, was born with multiple heart defects and has undergone three open-heart surgeries. Today, she is healthy and pursuing her master’s degree at Cornell University. BBM Construction Administrator Mark Matzinger received a heart transplant in 1997 and this year celebrates 29 years with his donor heart. Their experiences have kept heart health close to BBM for many years.

Our 2026 effort continues that commitment, and we hope to take it even further.

We invite our colleagues, project partners, friends, and community to join BBM in supporting the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Walk. Our first milestone is $5,000, enough to provide another CPR & First Aid Anywhere Training Kit to a local school. We would love to go beyond it.

Every additional contribution helps extend the impact of this year’s campaign and supports the American Heart Association’s work in our community.

Help us reach $5,000 and keep going.