Deputy Mike Dzuiba

A Lehigh Acres Sheriff’s deputy was recognized by his superiors and the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce for an act of kindness toward a local family.

Lt. J.D. Loethen, an assistant commander at Bravo District in Lehigh, presented the award to Deputy Mike Dzuiba during the Chamber’s monthly luncheon on May 25. Also attending the luncheon was Capt. Ed Tamayo, Brava District commander.

Loethen said that a family’s house was broken into and during his investigation he found out that Diane Matlock-Bailey and her husband, Blane, had recently moved to Lehigh after losing their home due to tough times.

Blane, like many others in Lee County was struggling to make ends meet. Loethen said he had worked in the construction business and had been injured and was laid off from work. The family then had their vehicle repossessed and the bank had foreclosed on their home.

Loethen said that while on a call to AJ Auto and Truck Repair on Palm Beach Blvd. in reference to a theft, he asked the owner, Ken Elrod, to let him know if he came across any inexpensive cars.

Deputy of the Month honored: The Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce honored Deputy Mike Dzuiba, right, as the Deputy of the Month. Also shown are Capt. Ed Tamayo, Bravo District commander, left, and Lt. J.D. Loethen, who told the Chamber of an act of kindness by Deputy Dzuiba. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Remembering Diane’s story, Elrod told him he already had one and asked why he was interested.

Dzuiba told Elrod of Diane’s story and Elrod jumped at the chance to help the family.

Loethen said that in April, Ken Elrod, Gregg Reed from Advanced Auto Parts, the 7-11 manager where Diane works, provided the down payment and six months of insurance for the vehicle and free repair service from Elrod.

Diane is employed by 7-11 and was without a vehicle for about a year and had to walk to the store where she worked. She has also had to borrow vehicles from helpful coworkers and her bosses to run errands, Loethen said.

In April her husband had a major heart attack and was in the hospital for a time and while Diane was visiting him, is when their home was broken into, Loethen said.

Charlotte Rae Nicely member of the month: Joe Whalen, CEO of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, presents a plaque recognizing Charlotte Rae Nicely, executive director of Lehigh Community Services, as the Chamber Member of the Month. Photo by Mel Toadvine

He said Diane was overwhelmed with generosity of the people who helped her with a car to drive to work, pick up prescriptions, take her husband to a doctor, and make more money by working overtime at other 7-11s.

Cpl. Melissa Smith, also of Brava District, told her commander, Capt. Ed Tamayo of the incident because she was there when the presentation was made and she said it brought her it to tears.

Meanwhile the Chamber of Commerce presented its Employee of the Month Award to Maylou Land of the Majestic Golf Club where the luncheon was being held. She was recognized for her help with Chamber programs to raise money. Although programs were on all the tables and she was working at the luncheon, she hadn’t noticed her name and was surprised when the announcement was made.

Also honored was Charlotte Rae Nicely, executive director of Lehigh Community Services for her work in the community and for the Chamber. Both were presented plaques at the ceremony by Joe Whalen, the Chamber’s CEO.

Also introduced was David Deetstreet, the Chamber’s new president of the board who is replacing Jose Morillo who has moved away from Lehigh.

Marylou Land is Employee of the Month: Joe Whalen, left, CEO of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, presents a plaque recognizing Marylou Land as the Chamber's Employee of the Month. Photo by Mel Toadvine