Refuge on the Ridge has become the latest organization to receive a life-saving Automated External Defibrillator (AED) through the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation, marking AED placement number 83 in the foundation’s ongoing community initiative. The AED was officially placed at the Refuge on January 13.
Refuge on the Ridge Office Manager Melissa Hilligoss, who has been with the organization for two years, shared insight into how the ministry began and the importance of partnerships that helped bring it to life. Hilligoss explained that the early vision for Refuge on the Ridge was formed through connections at Highpoint Church, where she met Pastor Andy Blair. Pastor Jack later helped further connect the group as plans developed.
“We would meet in the youth room and plan/dream with a small group,” Hilligoss said. “We soon began renovating and preparing for our first guy in July of 2020.”
Hilligoss and her husband moved onto the Refuge property in March of 2024, allowing her to work more closely with Pastor Andy and the daily operations of the program.
Pastor Andy Blair, Founder and Executive Director of Refuge on the Ridge, said he has been with the organization since its inception. “I’ve been here since the beginning. We officially opened and took our first man into the program on 3-22-21,” Blair said.
Refuge on the Ridge leaders expressed deep gratitude for being selected as an AED placement site, citing both practical and personal reasons for the partnership.
“We are extremely grateful and feel fortunate to be chosen for placement of an AED. I especially love when ministries or foundations who are in the business of saving lives can join together for the common good,” Blair said. “This foundation hits really close to home for me. I lost my biological father in 1995 to a heart attack. Who knows, had this technology and equipment had been available back then, it may have saved his life.”
Hilligoss also noted the meaningful connection between Refuge on the Ridge and the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation.
“We are honored to be chosen – there is a strong connection between what Melanie does and our program,” Hilligoss said. “She knows personally one of our former graduates and has a connection to the family.”
Both Hilligoss and Blair praised Melanie Brown Culpepper and the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation team for their compassion and dedication.
“CCF is one of the most compassionate foundations we have had the privilege of working with,” Hilligoss said. “Her passion for saving lives mirrors Refuge in the Ridge.”
Blair echoed those sentiments, highlighting the personal impact of Culpepper’s mission. “Melanie has such a caring spirit about her. I really feel like it was a divine appointment that we met. Just like God uses the team here and our stories and tragedies to try and help another human being, Melanie is using her own story and her own tragedy to make a positive difference in all of the lives that she comes in contact with. Melanie and her team’s enthusiasm is contagious.”
As part of the AED placement, a hands-on demonstration was conducted by Eric Shimcus. Hilligoss said the training helped staff feel confident and prepared to respond in an emergency.
“We absolutely loved the demonstration and explanations,” she said. “It is an easy process and accessible for all. We were able to clearly understand what to do in an emergency. Having that type of information ahead of time helps to keep people calm and prepared.”
Blair agreed, emphasizing the importance of preparedness. “It’s pretty amazing the difference that this device can make. The demonstration that we were given and the information that was conveyed was great. I feel like our team feels equipped now to respond in an emergency situation. We have also ordered a couple of anti-choking devices and fire extinguishers for our vehicles.”
Hilligoss added that Culpepper’s personal story resonated strongly with those at the Refuge. “Melanie’s personal story really hit home with a lot of us at Refuge,” she said. “It’s often the simple things that can save lives!”
Blair concluded by tying the AED placement directly to the mission of Refuge on the Ridge. “Our mission statement here at Refuge on the Ridge is ‘putting families, back together, one man, one family at a time’, In the case of a cardiac emergency, we now have a much better chance of saving a dad’s life, so that his family can be put back together. And we agree here at Refuge on the Ridge, that ‘Saving Lives Matter!’”
For more information about the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation and its AED initiative, visit CulpepperAED.com.
