{"id":81728,"date":"2026-07-06T13:08:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T17:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winterhavendaily.com\/?p=81728"},"modified":"2026-07-06T13:08:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T17:08:36","slug":"97-aed-to-ultrafit-auburndale-schalamar-creek-pays-it-forward-through-culpeppers-cardiac-foundation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winterhavendaily.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/06\/97-aed-to-ultrafit-auburndale-schalamar-creek-pays-it-forward-through-culpeppers-cardiac-foundation\/","title":{"rendered":"97 AED to UltraFit Auburndale: Schalamar Creek Pays It Forward Through Culpepper\u2019s Cardiac Foundation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UltraFit Auburndale is now better prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency after receiving its new automated external defibrillator (AED) through Culpepper\u2019s Cardiac Foundation\u2019s Pay It Forward Program. The AED, donated by Schalamar Creek, marks the foundation\u2019s 97th AED placement, continuing its mission of making lifesaving equipment more accessible throughout the community while providing education that empowers people to act during a cardiac emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The donation was made possible through the efforts of Sean Schrenker, a lieutenant with the Winter Haven Fire Department, whose commitment to protecting others extends well beyond his career in the fire service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schrenker began his fire service career with the Auburndale Fire Department, where he served for approximately eight years. In 2007, while employed there, he attended paramedic school with Eric Shimkus. After completing the program, he joined the Winter Haven Fire Department, where he has now served for more than 17 years and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Schrenker currently works B Shift and Shimkus works C Shift, they have worked out of the same station and have known each other for more than 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schrenker first began working out at UltraFit in 2014 when it was under previous ownership. After taking an extended break before the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned last year with a goal of improving his fitness and keeping up with the younger firefighters at the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During one of his workouts, a fellow member experienced a medical emergency. While the UltraFit staff acted quickly by providing care and calling 911, the experience highlighted the importance of having an AED readily available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI knew Eric teaches CPR classes on his days off, so I contacted him to learn more about obtaining an AED. That conversation introduced me to Culpepper\u2019s Cardiac Foundation. I was thrilled to learn that Ultra-Fit had been selected to receive an AED. While I sincerely hope it is never needed, having one available has the potential to save someone\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schrenker also praised the training provided after the donation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe training provided by Culpepper\u2019s Cardiac Foundation and Eric Shimkus was outstanding. Despite the limited time available, they delivered an informative, hands-on class that gave both the Ultra-Fit staff and its members the knowledge and confidence to recognize when an AED is needed and how to use it properly. I am truly grateful for everything this organization does to help businesses obtain lifesaving equipment and educate people on how to respond during a cardiac emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Madi Harris, owner and head coach of UltraFit Auburndale, the donation reflects the gym\u2019s commitment to creating a safe environment for every member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy name is Madi Harris, and I\u2019m the owner and head coach at UltraFit Auburndale. Fitness has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I love helping people become healthier, stronger, and more confident. I took over UltraFit a little over three years ago, and the goal has always been to create more than just a gym. We\u2019ve worked hard to build a community where people feel supported, encouraged, and like family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harris said Schrenker played a key role in bringing the AED to UltraFit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve known Sean through being a member at the gym. He\u2019s a firefighter and has taught me about different safety protocols if ever in a situation I need to use them. I\u2019m incredibly thankful that he reached out for us and helped make this possible. Having an AED in our gym gives me peace of mind knowing we\u2019re better prepared if an emergency ever happens. His willingness to help our community means more than he probably realizes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receiving the AED also brought an unexpected personal connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve actually known Melanie since I was little. I used to cheer with her daughter, so it was really special to reconnect with her after so many years. I honestly had no idea she was involved with Culpepper\u2019s Cardiac Foundation, so it was such a cool surprise to see her again through something so meaningful. We\u2019re incredibly grateful that her foundation chose to donate an AED to UltraFit through the Pay It Forward program from Schalamar Creek. We hope we never have to use it, but knowing it\u2019s there if someone ever needs it is a blessing. It\u2019s an amazing gift that could truly save a life, and we\u2019re honored to be part of their mission to make our community safer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harris also expressed her appreciation for Melanie Brown Culpepper and the foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just want to say thank you to Melanie and everyone at Culpepper\u2019s Cardiac Foundation for everything you do. It\u2019s inspiring to see a foundation turning tragedy into something that brings hope and helps protect communities. Your passion for educating people and making AEDs more accessible is making a real difference, and we\u2019re so thankful to be a small part of that mission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the presentation, Eric Shimkus led an AED demonstration and hands-on training session for the UltraFit staff and members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe demonstration was excellent. Eric explained everything in a way that was easy to understand and helped everyone feel much more confident about using the AED if the situation ever arose. Before the training, it could have felt intimidating, but now I feel much more prepared and informed. We\u2019re very thankful he took the time to educate us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harris said the stories shared during the presentation left a lasting impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHearing the stories they shared was incredibly eye-opening. It really put into perspective that cardiac emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere, and often when you least expect them. It made me realize just how important it is to be prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We hope we never have to use ours, but if it ever saves even one life, it\u2019s worth it. Thank you again to Melanie, Eric, Sean and the entire Culpepper\u2019s Cardiac Foundation team for investing in our community and helping make it a safer place. You guys are seriously AMAZING!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The placement of AED #97 represents another milestone for Culpepper\u2019s Cardiac Foundation\u2019s Pay It Forward Program. Through generous community partners like Schalamar Creek and dedicated advocates such as Sean Schrenker, businesses like UltraFit Auburndale are becoming better equipped to respond when seconds matter most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Culpepper\u2019s Cardiac Foundation continues its mission throughout Central Florida, each AED placed serves as a reminder that being prepared can make the difference between life and death\u2014because Saving Lives Matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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UltraFit Auburndale is now better prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency after receiving its new automated external defibrillator (AED) through Culpepper\u2019s Cardiac Foundation\u2019s Pay It Forward Program. The AED, donated by Schalamar Creek, marks the foundation\u2019s 97th AED placement, continuing its mission of making lifesaving equipment more accessible throughout the community while providing education […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":81727,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[171,37],"class_list":["post-81728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-auburndale","tag-aed","tag-auburndale"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winterhavendaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/img_5368-1.jpeg?fit=1125%2C816&ssl=1","aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t