A number of South Whidbey volunteers were recognized by the community for going above and beyond the call of duty.
The Island County chapter of the American Red Cross and Whidbey Island Bank honored local heroes on March 6 in Oak Harbor.
It was the chapter’s ninth annual Real Heroes event.
Frank O’Brochta of Freeland was awarded the Humanitarian Service Award.
O’Brochta volunteers at Whidbey Island Academy, a small parent-partnered program that supports home schooling families. Usually he helps children with their math problems and other scholastic challenges.
But last November, O’Brochta turned life-saver when he rescued 10-year-old Chloe Huffman from choking on her burrito during lunch.
Chloe was eating in the cafeteria when food became stuck in her throat. She couldn’t speak or breathe, but when she got up, O’Brochta sprang into action and gave the girl back blows and abdominal thrusts.
On the third try, the food was dislodged.
O’Brochta said getting the award was a bit embarrassing. He only did what had to be done.
“The Lord just had me in the right place at the right time,” he said.
O’Brochta also volunteers at Whidbey Island Center of the Arts, Island Dance and Whidbey Children’s Theater.
“When I retired, I didn’t retire to a rocking chair. It was like turn the page and do something else,” he said.
The Red Cross also honored Whidbey Search Dogs.
The true praise goes to the heroes with four paws. But Jerry Beck, Edith Bryan, Laurie Cecil, Kathy Eyth, Larry Gardiner, Susan Marchese, Elaine Marlow, Mari Saint-Armand and Brian Vick accepted the award on their dogs’ behalf.
Members and dogs train at least five to eight days per month, for up to three years, before becoming qualified to participate in a search response.
The group with their dogs showed what they had learned on Sept. 19, when members were called to the Langley area to assist in the search for an elderly man. The man was found in time and got medical attention.
Judy Allen and Grace O’Jalia were both runners up in the humanitarian service category.
Allen is the manager of Good Cheer II in Clinton and is known for her caring interaction with customers.
O’Jalia volunteers her time and talents to work in the soup kitchen of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Langley every Tuesday and Thursday.
