HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Habersham County this week hailed three residents for acts of heroism at the county senior center -- including one in which a person at the center was saved in a choking incident.
In a release, the county praised the three residents for their "unconscious heroism."
The release highlighted two senior center employees, Sonya Turgeon and Laureen Pemberton, and a third person, Joshua Haynie, in two episodes to help people at the center.
“Sonya walked up on the client who was choking, and immediately took control of the incident and started Heimlich,” Habersham County Senior Center Director Kathy Holcomb said. “Sonya was shorter to reach around the client so a care provider, Joshua Haynie, was there with another client and stepped in and finished the maneuver. Sonya moved to the front to observe the food was out.”
In another incident, a person at the center had to be helped when their oxygen level dropped very low. A Habersham County Emergency Services ambulance responded in that incident and the person was taken to a hospital.
“The county leadership believes in our people and lifts them up in praise for a job well done,” Holcomb said. “We know receiving praise was never your intention, however, we want you to know how appreciated you are in this community.”
According to the release, Turgeon, Pemberton and Haynie were all given a standing ovation at a county ceremony recognizing their contributions.
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