Winter Haven, FL – On July 15, 2025, the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation (CCF), in partnership with the R2Cares Foundation, installed its 68th life-saving Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for the Winter Haven High School Baseball Team, enhancing safety for student-athletes and coaches.
Joel Hernandez, Junior Varsity Coach for the baseball team at Winter Haven High School for seven years, expressed enthusiasm about the new equipment. “It’s amazing,” Hernandez said. “Now we have the equipment to make sure the kids are safe.”
Ronnie Richardson, a former professional baseball player, current coach in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, and founder of the R2Cares Foundation, emphasized the importance of the partnership. “Foundations supporting each other is a powerful thing,” Richardson said. “We can go further together than we ever could alone. You never know whose life might be saved by having an AED available.” Having known CCF founder Melanie Brown Culpepper through family connections for years, Richardson praised her selflessness: “What she’s doing is bigger than any one person—it’s a shining example of selflessness in action.”
Dawson Young, a 2018 Winter Haven High School graduate and former baseball player, shared his connection to the location. “I loved the location of the event,” Young said. “We used to put in hours and hours of hard work and sweat and blood in that place.” Now a life insurance agent, Young commended CCF’s proactive approach: “It’s bringing awareness to the community and being proactive. It’s not something you think about until that tragic time comes, and you need the proper things set in place.”
The installation event included a demonstration by Eric Shimcus, who earned praise for his clear and professional explanations. “He’s amazing at explaining everything, great at his job!” Hernandez noted. Richardson, experiencing his first AED demonstration, added, “Now I feel confident that I could assist if the situation ever arose.” Young echoed, “The demonstration was informing and helpful on how to properly use the AED. Eric did a great job.”
The AED placement at Winter Haven High School is critical for high-pressure athletic environments. “I’ve personally witnessed players pass out during games,” Richardson said. “Having an AED unit available during any competition gives us peace of mind. We’d rather be safe than sorry.”
The Culpepper Cardiac Foundation continues its mission to promote heart safety, and this 68th AED placement, in collaboration with R2Cares, underscores their commitment to saving lives. “Saving Lives Matters,” Hernandez said, echoing the foundation’s core value. “You guys know exactly what you’re doing. Keep up the great work!” Young added, “I pray that God puts you in front of all the right people to get this message out! Keep saving lives!”
Support the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation’s life-saving mission! Local businesses and individuals are encouraged to donate an AED or contribute funds by visiting the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation’s Facebook page or contacting Melanie Brown Culpepper directly. To learn more about R2Cares and their programs in youth development and community outreach, check out their Instagram and Facebook pages or visit R2Cares.org. As Young noted, “Go get your hair did at Cutting Edge Salon in Winter Haven!”
