Kelly Vrooman
Written and Photographed by Nancy Clover
What if saving a life came down to what was — or wasn’t — within reach?
Meet Kelly Vrooman — a woman on a mission to make sure help is never too far away.
Kelly wears many hats: wife, mother, nurse, soccer coach, educator, and tireless advocate.
All of these hats are focus on bringing accessible AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) to Melrose’s playing fields and recreational spaces, where seconds can mean everything in a cardiac emergency.
This mission is deeply personal. Kelly knows how critical immediate access to life-saving equipment can be. But her vision goes far beyond her own circle of friends. She’s thinking about every child on the field, every coach, referee, umpire, and spectator — because cardiac emergencies don’t discriminate.
And she’s not just raising awareness — she’s making real progress.
Kelly is working to have AEDs installed by early summer at key locations across Melrose, including Monk Park, Conant Park, the Knoll, the baseball and football fields, Franklin, and Pine Banks. With support already coming in from local businesses, youth sports organizations, and community members, momentum is building. The Parks Department has committed to installing and maintaining the devices — an incredible step forward.
But there’s still work to do.
Through grassroots fundraising — including events at Rising Eagle and CPR training classes—Kelly is turning concern into action. She’s also raising awareness in the most visible way possible: by carrying a bright yellow backpack with an AED inside. Because as she knows all too well, you never know when you might be the one who can save a life.
Her goal isn’t just placement. It’s education. It’s preparedness. It’s empowerment.
Because a safer community isn’t built by chance — it’s built by people who step up.
And thanks to Kelly Vrooman, Melrose is one step closer to being ready when it matters most.
If you’d like to support her mission, you can contribute here.
