by James Coulter
When Lisa Taylor learned from a client about a local organization donating automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to local establishments, she decided her venue could benefit from having one.
As the manager of Red Barn Events in Plant City, Taylor hosts various events at her venue, including parties, weddings, showers, and fundraisers. With her venue serving so many people, she knew that eventually, an emergency could arise that would require an AED.
“I heard about Melanie and her organization to get these AEDs put in place through a client who booked for a future wedding we have coming up,” she explained. “I believe it is a great addition to any location to help save lives. Even if it is one life, it is a blessing.”
Last Wednesday, Melanie Brown Culpepper and her team with the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation donated and installed an AED at Red Barn Events in Plant City. This AED was their 30th device donated and installed to a local establishment.
Melanie offered a brief presentation about her organization. Her fiancée, Brian Beilke, helped install the AED. Eric Sheamus, a local firefighter, demonstrated how to use an AED in case of an emergency.
Melanie started her organization three years ago following the passing of her late fiancée Michael Culpepper, who passed away from cardiac arrest. Not wanting anyone else to suffer a similar fate, she started her organization to raise proceeds and donate AEDs to local establishments.
Since its inception, Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation has donated more than 30 AEDs to local businesses like Tanner’s Lakeside, Caribbean Bay, and Old Man Frank’s. She plans on attending a special presentation for the Tampa Bay Lightnings next month.
Taylor was impressed by Melanie’s organization and the good that it was doing for the local community.
“It is fascinating,” Taylor said. “I give her a lot of credit for doing everything that she is doing, and changing lives and making a difference. I would love to spread more awareness about this. The more people who know about this the better. They are everywhere.”
Julie Shepherd, an event coordinator, was likewise impressed by Melanie’s story and how her tragedy helped inspire her to do so much good for her community.
“It is amazing,” she said. “The fact that she can take such a tragic event in her life and make it such an honorable, notable organization and to see where she has come from and how she is taken care of. Different people, different organizations, and putting them over the state is a wonderful thing.”
To learn more about Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper
