Al Mills Citizen of the Year Frank Virts
At last Monday’s Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner, the Al Mills Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Frank Virts, a Pine Island resident who volunteers at a number of charitable organizations on the island.
The Al Mills Award is presented to one individual or organization each year to recognize the dedication and commitment to island residents and the business community. The 2017 Al Mills Award was presented by Chris Weiderhold, client services manager at Buzzy Phillips Raymond James office. Al Mills wife, Fran Mills, was on hand to present the award.
“I am very pleased to present the Al Mills Award to such an amazing person,” Weiderhold said. “The person selected this year is the person you see on the side of the road picking up trash early in the morning because he wants this island to be beautiful for the rest of us.”
Virtz volunteers at the Pine Island Food Pantry, Pine Island Community Church, the Beacon of HOPE and several other charitable organizations on the island.
“Frank is a perfect choice for this award,” Beacon of HOPE Executive Director Betsy Haesemeyer said. “Frank volunteers for Meals on Wheels, participates is every event including the pancake breakfasts, sets up the meeting rooms and classrooms, and has to be in the top three for volunteer hours at the Beacon.”
“Frank Virts also volunteers at the Pine Island Elks Club,” Weiderhold said. “Frank, even though he’s not a member of the Elks, was awarded the Citizen of the Year award from the Elks in 2015. The island knows him as ‘Mr. Clean’ and Betsy Haesemeyer calls him her ‘Superman.'”
“I am very honored to receive this award,” Virts said. “Thank you very much.”
The Deputy of the Year award was given to Lee County Sheriff Deputy First Class Campion Wylie.
“This year we did something special,” Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Jennings said. “We are having the award presented to Deputy Wylie by someone special. I’d like to introduce Janice Retheford.”
Retheford is a Pine Island resident. On July 29, 2016, Retheford’s birthday, she was walking along the bike path on Stringfellow Road when she was struck by a hit-and-run driver. She was left on the side of the road critically injured with a skull fracture and her left leg nearly severed in what is called a “degloving” injury.
A degloving injury is a type of avulsion injury in which an extensive section of skin is completely torn off the underlying tissue, severing the blood supply. Fortunately a young man was walking on the bike path behind Retheford, saw the accident, and called 911.
“I have very little memory of that night,” Retheford said. “But I remember seeing the deputy and I asked him to not let me die. He asked me, ‘Do you believe in faith?’ I told him I did and then told me ‘hold on to your faith’ and he promised me he wouldn’t let me die.”
Retheford was in and out of consciousness.
“As I felt myself fading away I could hear him calling to me and I can’t explain it but I remember fighting to get back to that voice calling me and I kept squeezing his finger to let him know I was still here.”
Retheford thanked “the young man” that called 911, the EMTs that brought her to the hospital and the ER team, trauma team and surgeons “who were able to save my leg, reattach my foot where it had broken off. And thanks to the Lord for all of these people that saved my life that night.”
“To this year’s Deputy of the Year, your words spoken to me that night changed my life forever,” Retheford said. “I’ve held on to my faith, and it’s my faith that has carried me this far. You are a true testament of character and to the uniform you wear to serve and protect. Tonight’s Deputy of the Year is not only my hero but he is my angel who I believe was heaven sent. It is with great honor, and if you will al stand with a round of applause for Deputy Wylie.”
After a hug, Wylie addressed the crowd.
“I am very honored,” Wylie said. “That was a tough night but it worked out. I’m very proud to serve this community, this is where I’m supposed to be so when you see me on the road please wave and don’t speed.”
The Chamber announced the 2017 Board of Directors: Capt. Matt Herterick – L.C.S.O, James Roach – A&B Insurance & Financial, John Behuniak- Optimized Services, Lenny Cannova – Modern Woodmen, Nancy Koucky – NRK Designs, Debbie Memoli – Uni-Scape and Michael Miceli – El Pollo Rico Restaurant.