Past Times Lounge Receives 58th AED Donated by Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation

by James Coulter

Cindy Shaw, owner of Past Times Lounge in Winter Haven, was honored to receive an automated external defibrillator donated by the Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation (CCF) last October.

Wanting to return the favor, Shaw decided to “pay it forward” by having an AED donated to another local business, Jessie’s Lounge. The AED was given and installed at the local bar on Tuesday evening.

“I chose Jessie’s Lounge for my ‘pay it forward’ because of myfriendship [with the owner] and my respect for her as a business woman,” Shaw said. “I would like to thank everyone involved in providing this life-saving equipment and would encourage anyone who wishes to support a well-deserving cause to please consider Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation.”

Jessie Scubna, owner of Jessie’s Lounge, was honored, not only to receive such a lifesaving emergency device, but also to have received it through a generous donation from another local bar owner.

“We feel very fortunate to be chosen as a pay it forward location,” Scubna said. “Cindy Shaw from Past Time Lounge is one of the sweetest and most generous people in the business. She has always run a very successful and no-nonsense bar. It’s the Cheers of Winter Haven!”

Jessie knows all too well the importance of having such an emergency lifesaving device handy. Several years ago, at her bar, a friend suffered a heart attack and only had their life saved because another friend and customer administered CPR.

“Being witness to this, I realized how much pressure and strength it takes to perform CPR properly,” she said. “The AED offers a solution to those unable to perform CPR with the strength it takes to do it properly. I hope to God we never have to use the defibrillator but [I am] grateful…[for the] very generous donation.”

Scubna has also been a good friend of Melanie Brown Culpepper, the founder of CCF, a local non-profit organization dedicated to raising proceeds to donate AEDs to local businesses across Polk County. She has supported and been involved with many of Melanie’s efforts. She knows Melanie has a heart for Polk County, so anyway Jessie can help out is more than enough for her.

“As long as I’ve known Melanie she has put others before herself,” Scubna said. “She is always the first to help someone in need even when she doesn’t have the time she somehow finds it. I’m not sure if she knows how to say no. She is involved in many organizations and fundraising efforts that help our local community. It takes a lot of time and hard work to do what she does and she does it without even thinking twice.”

Melanie started CCF nearly four years ago following the untimely passing of her late fiancée Michael Culpepper, who had suffered cardiac arrest. Not wanting anyone else to suffer a similar fate, she started her organization to raise proceeds to install AEDs across the county.

Since its inception, CCF has donated more than 50 AEDs to local businesses including Tanner’s Lakeside, Old Man Frank’s, and Caribbean Bay. Being able to do so much good, even after so many bad things have happened to her, has been quite the inspiration to others.

“Even in Melanie’s time of need and grief she was able to find a way to help others,” Scubna said. “She is truly an inspiration and angel to so many people! She’s not only helping to save life’s by getting these defibrillators out to as many people as possible but she is also bringing people together and building community through her efforts.”

“Melanie is by far the most kind and generous person I have had the pleasure of knowing,” Shaw said. “I admire her dedication to this cause and will support her and her foundation any way I can in the future.”

To learn more about Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper