Somewhere Sports Bar and Grill Receives 62nd AED Donated by Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation
by James Coulter
The Caribbean Bay in Winter Haven sponsored their second “pay it forward” donation of an automated external defibrillator (AED), which was provided to another local bar.
On Thur. Mar. 13, Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation (CCF) placed their 62nd AED at Somewhere Sports Bar and Grill in Winter Haven. The donation also included a presentation by a local EMT demonstrating how to use the AED and perform CPR.
Jeremy Cooley, owner of Caribbean Bay, sponsored the AED donation to honor his late mother, Nancy Cooley, the former owner of Caribbean Bay who passed away one year ago. He chose Somewhere because his mother used to visit and eat at the bar.
“Nancy would always go there and sit outside as she ordered Stitch, his favorite hamburger,” wrote CCF Founder, Melanie Brown Culpepper, on her Facebook page.
“I’m so proud of Jeremy for continuing his mom’s love for her community,” she continued. “He now is continuing her legacy and I want to give you a big huge Thank you for doing all that you are doing for CCF…This by far has meant so much to me and I know your mom would be so proud.”
Before becoming the new owner, Jeremy had worked at the Bait Shop for 14 years and as a bartender also for 14 years. He and his mother have both sponsored four AED donations, including this one.
“She loved to help people and just loved Melanie, so I will continue to do what she wanted to do,” Jeremy said. “We have known her [Melanie] for 15 years or so and she is such an amazing person and she loves very hard [and] she has worked so hard to help everyone.”
Karma Cyr, the owner of Somewhere Bar and Grill for 15 years, appreciated the donation and the motivation behind it.
“It was a very thoughtful gesture and very much appreciated,” she said. “If it saves just one life, then it was worth it. Once again, we appreciate the pay it forward gesture and are honored to be a part of this.”
Melanie started CCF more than four years ago following the untimely passing of her late fiancée Michael Culpepper, who passed away from cardiac arrest.
Not wanting anyone to suffer a similar fate, she started her non-profit to donate AEDs across the county. Since its inception, CCF has donated more than 60 AEDs to local businesses, restaurants, and establishments.
“Nancy Cooley with Caribbean Bay Nancy Cooley was a good friend of mine and always sponsored me with CCF as well as many other foundations & events I was involved in,” she wrote. “I’m so proud of Jeremy for continuing his mom’s love for her community. He now is continuing her legacy and I want to give you a big huge thank you for doing all that you are doing for CCF. This now is their fourth AED that they have Paid it Forward.”
For more information about CCF, visit their Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper.
