Lifelong Long Beach resident makes life-saving donation to the city

Harvey Weisenberg, a former lifeguard, coach, policeman, assemblyman and always Mr. Long Beach was honored at City Hall Monday for yet another donation to the city.

He gave $20,000 for AEDs, or automated external defibrillators, which are designed to assist individuals during sudden cardiac arrest.

A lifelong resident of Long Beach, he has donated tens of thousands of dollars across the city, now adding access to these essential life-saving devices to the lit.

“Harvey has been on the cutting edge of this technology for many, many, many years. He was the one who got all of our school districts to actually have AEDs,” Acting City Manager and Police Commissioner Ron Walsh said. “You saved lives then and we believe he’s going to save lives now. And the city is always forever indebted to Mr. Long Beach, he’s stepping forward and doing the right thing for us.”

About a year ago, when the city struggled to secure funding for AEDs, Weisenberg promptly stepped in with a donation. Walsh credits many of the AEDs now found throughout the city to Weisenberg’s contribution.

During his time in office, Weisenberg enacted a law requiring all New York State public schools to have AEDs within their facilities and at all sports events. The law was heavily inspired by the death of Louis Acompora, who died on March 25, 2000, at 14 while playing lacrosse during his first high school game.

In his position as a goalie, he had blocked a shot with his body that resulted in a lacrosse ball striking his chest directly over his heart causing a complete halt of circulation. Despite rescuers performing CPR, with no AED at the field there was no way to save Acompora. 

Weisenberg continues to maintain a relationship with the family and works with their organization for the same cause. 

Weisenberg’s work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Representing himself and Long Beach, Weisenberg has been honored for his life-saving legislation by many, including the American Heart Association.

Beyond his contributions in this field, Weisenberg and his wife Ellen launched the Harvey and Ellen Weisenberg Foundation in 2015. This nonprofit supports individuals with special needs as well as their families and caregivers.

His ongoing donations and support aim to protect the community he’s always called home.

“Long Beach is my life, the people that live here are my family,” Weisenberg said. “And I want them to be in the safest environment they can be in.”