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Thanks to sales of their new cookbook, the Post Garden Club purchased and donated an automatic external defibrillator to benefit the Jessup Providences Youth Organization.

The device was presented Friday by club president Lois Stephenson to David Cope, who accepted on behalf of the youth group.

"I really thank the ladies. You've done a wonderful job," said Cope, the JPYO president, at the presentation. "It is very well-appreciated. If we ever have to use it, you will be the first ones to know. If one life is saved, it has done its job."

Stephenson, who presented the defibrillator at the Jessup Community Center, said the donation is part of the club's ongoing outreach efforts to the Jessup and Fort Meade communities.

"We are a service organization," she said. "We wanted to give something back."

The donation was made after Pat Loosararian, third vice president of the Post Garden Club, suggested the club purchase the device and make it a donation to a local community group.

After hearing reports of young athletes suffering from cardiac arrest on the field, club members decided to present the defibrillator to an area youth group.

"This is a great tool to have available," Cope said.

The JPYO provides a "fun and safe athletic experience for youth in the endeavor of team sports," according to its website.

Youths ages 4 to 17 who register with the organization, can participate in baseball, soccer, basketball and softball. On any given weekend, 300 to 400 youths play sports at Jessup-Providences Park in Severn, Cope said.

Although volunteer coaches are not required by the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks to know CPR, Cope said the JPYO will provide training to use the defibrillator.

The Post Garden Club, also known as the Meade Area Garden Club, chose the Zoll Automatic External Defibrillator Plus brand because the device can be used by anyone, regardless of age.

The club funded the $2,000 device through the sales of its cookbook, "Meade Area Garden Club Cookbook."

Loosararian came up with the idea for a cookbook four years ago when she learned about a publishing company that specializes in cookbooks.

"I thought it might be a good way to raise funds for the club," she said.

After presenting the idea to the club's board, Loosararian collected recipes from club members and their friends over the next two years.

After gathering about 450 recipes, Loosararian and Loretta Anderson, a club first vice president, typed the recipes on a laptop then proofread the entries. Recipes range from drinks to desserts.

Everyone who submitted a recipe is included in the book.

In the summer of 2010, the club sent the manuscript to Morris Press Cookbooks in Kearney, Neb. The company published 400 copies in November of that year.

Since then, the club has sold 300 copies at $20 each. Member Millie Fenton sold 40 copies.

The club also used the proceeds to purchase three bricks for Fort Meade's Constitution Park.

"This is so terrific," Loosararian said of the donation to JPYO. "We wanted to do something good with the money, something significant."

Editor's note: Cookbooks are available for purchase by calling Lois Stephenson, club president, at 410-740-8024.