A news article ran in the Plant City Observer two weeks ago that officers of the Plant City Police Department (PCPD) had raised more than $5,800 from its “Back the Beard” fundraiser and used the money to purchase toys and gifts for local children and families.
When Thonotosassa residents Andy and Patti-Ann Storch read the article, they felt inspired to contribute to the cause, giving back to a community where they feel such a connection. “We have a vacation home in Lake Placid and normally team up with the police department there to buy gifts for kids at Christmas but with everything going on we lost sight of it,” said Andy Storch.
“Everything going on” was Patti-Ann Storch’s recovery from a sudden cardiac arrest suffered in May after a workout at CrossFit Plant City, where a quick-thinking off-duty paramedic performed CPR and saved her life.
The couple partnered with PCPD, donating 13 new bicycles to supplement the department’s annual toy drive. While coordinating the donation, the couple came up with a plan to donate some of the bikes on behalf of the men and women who contributed to Storch’s recovery as a way to pay forward the kindness they received from those emergency first-responders.
“We learned from our experience that there are hidden heroes,” said Andy. “We met all these people throughout this journey that are true heroes who saved Patti’s life.’
Those people include:
Carol Mate, Owner, CrossFit Plant City
Patrick Dudkiewicz, Pasco County Firefighter/Paramedic
Bent Benitez, Plant City Firefighter/Paramedic
Josh Gordon, Plant City Firefighter/Paramedic
Noe Guillen, Plant City Firefighter/Paramedic
Hobie Herndon, Plant City Firefighter Paramedic
Dr. James Bartlett, MD, South Florida Baptist Hospital Emergency
Dr. Moethu Win, MD, Florida Heart, Vein & Vascular Institute
“Starting with Carol Mate, who had the wherewithal to maintain an AED at her facility and then Patrick Dudkiewicz, who just happened to be at the “right place/right time” working out off duty and let his paramedic training take over,” the couple said. “Then to the Plant City paramedic team of Bent Benitez, Josh Gordon, Noe Guillen, and Hobie Herndon who expeditiously stabilized and transported Patti to the South Florida Baptist Hospital where she was treated by Dr. James Bartlett and Dr. Moethu Win whose quick decisions and actions concerning medical treatment are credited with the survival and ultimate recovery of Patti-Ann.”
The Storches are happy to report that Patti-Ann is back at Crossfit and thriving with normal heart function. “I returned to working out at CrossFit since August but at the end of September I was given clearance to really go at it,” she said.
She’s come away from her experience with invaluable life lessons. “I’m more thankful for others,” she said. “This experience has also proven that friends and family are extremely important and that they come first.”
PCPD Sergeant Tiffany Lindsey-Tester, who helped spearhead the “Back the Beard” campaign, was moved by the donation. “When Mr. Storch contacted me regarding his request to donate the bicycles, I was so humbled as a first responder by the gratitude the family felt towards the men and women they credited with saving Mrs. Stroch’s life,” she said. “I was honored they chose our charity to show their appreciation towards this community they clearly love.”
Officers delivered the bikes and gifts purchased through the “Back the Beard” program to school administrators at Advantage Academy and Jackson Elementary, who will distribute the items to families in need.
