From One Group of Veterans to Another: Winter Haven VFW “Pays It Forward” For AED Donated to Lakeland VFW
by James Coulter
The Veterans of Foreign Wars in Winter Haven received an automated external defibrillator (AED). Now they’ve returned the favor by “paying it forward” to have an AED donated to the Lakeland VFW.
Last Monday evening, an AED was donated to VFW Post 2297 in Lakeland. The donation was made through Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation (CCF), a non-profit organization run by local business owner and philanthropist Melanie Brown Culpepper.
Having received an AED donated to their facility earlier this year, VFW Post 4289 in Winter Haven wished to return the favor by “paying it forward” to donate an AED to another local VFW.
Daniel Murphy has been the Auxiliary President at the Winter Haven VFW since 2013. He was humbled to have an AED donated to his VFW and honored to be able to donate an AED to another VFW.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” he said. “I’m so proud of our post and auxiliary. We came together to ‘pay it forward’ to another VFW in our district. And they will ‘pay it forward’ also, so that is a nice bonus.”
Chuck Dillow, Commander of the Lakeland VFW since 2022, likewise felt honored to have this AED not only donated to their facility but also donated by fellow veterans.
“We here at VFW Post 2297 are eternally grateful to Danny Murphy and his family and friends at Winter Haven Post 4289 for presenting us with this gift and we will definitely be Paying it Forward very soon,” he said.
Furthermore, Dillow was impressed by Melanie and her organization, especially with the time and effort they have placed into donating and installing AEDs across Polk County.
“The entire organization starting with Melanie is absolutely top rate and a very professional and organized foundation and they all earned my utmost respect,” he said.
Likewise, Murphy was also impressed by the good work accomplished through CCF: “Melanie and her team deserve so much love and gratitude for all the endless hard work they do.”
Melanie started CCF three years ago following the untimely passing of her late fiancée, Michael Culpepper, who had passed from a cardiac arrest.
Not wanting anyone else to suffer a similar fate, she started her non-profit to raise proceeds to donate AEDs across the county.
The AED at the Lakeland VFW was the 49th to be donated through her organization. Other AEDs have been donated to local businesses and establishments like The Mission, Winter Haven Boxing, and Tanner’s Lakeside.
To learn more about CCF, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper
