Joe Whalen, Lehigh Chamber president, left, and Capt. Ed. Tamayo, present Deputy Brett Yould who helped save a drowning child. The toddler died two days later due to an infection in her lungs. Photo by Mel Toadvine

The Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce honored Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy Brett Youd as one of several deputies who responded to a call for service concerning a 15-year-old babysitter who recently found her little sister in the swimming pool, not breathing.

Capt. Ed Tamayo, commander of Bravo District in Lehigh, told members that the child was only 17 months old and Deputy Youd took over CPR efforts from the 15-year-old and continued CPR until Lee County Emergency Medical Service arrived. They transported the child to Lehigh Regional Medical Center where she stabilized by medical professionals and transferred to Lee Memorial Health Park Hospital.

“Unfortunately she lived for two days before she died,” Tamayo said.

“It should be noted that Deputy Youd has a special place in his heart for children as he has adopted children of his own.

“We wanted to honor Deputy Youd for being able to save the girl’s life at the place where she fell into the pool. It is unfortunate that the child did pass away a few days later from an infection that set in due to water in her lug.

Brett Youd

“It was a major effort made to save the small life, but God welcomed the little on to heaven,” Tamayo said.

Youd accepted the award, but in a spirit of sorrow showing in his face, since the little child didn’t survived but for a few days.

“It was a great thing that he did when he brought that little girl back and we all are very said that she later passed away die to an infection,” Tamayo said.

The recognition of the deputy was made at the Chamber’s monthly luncheon held at the Majestic Golf Club on June 29.

Also honored at the luncheon were the Member of the Month Amielee Dampie, who was honored because of her active role in the Chamber and its Leads Program. With her during the presentation of the award from Joe Whalen, CEO and president of the Chamber, was John Kimbell, chairman of the Leads group. Dampier is an employee of Frank’s Roofing & Spray Inc. Also honored were both journalists in Lehigh, Cristela Guerra, a reporter with the News Star and Mel Toadvine, editor and writer with The Lehigh Acres Citizen. Whalen thanked them for their coverage of the community and for their support of the Chamber with accurate reporting.

Member of the Month: Amielee Dampie, who was honored because of her active role in the Chamber and its Leads Program is shown with John Kimbell, chairman of the Leads group, and at lelft Joe Whalen, Chamber CEO and president. Photo by Mel Toadvine

New members were also named at the luncheon. Not all were present but those that were at the luncheon were invited to the front of the room and given membership plaques. New members of the Chamber included:

Alliance Realty Group, DaVita Lehigh Acres, Edd Weiner, Gemini Realty, Jim Kreger, Mark’s Heating & Cooling Inc., Nadine’s Adult Home Care, Onsite Automotive Care, Rex Jackson, Specific Care Chiropractic and World Gym of Lehigh Acres. The next meeting of the Chamber will be Aug. 31. The Chamber always meets the last Tuesday of each month. You can call for reservations at 369-3322.

The luncheon was sponsored by The Book Accounting Services LLC of Fort Myers.