Heroes come in all sizes.
On Wednesday February 26 a young girl I didn’t know stopped to tell me I had fire coming out of my
chimney. I dismissed her quickly and called 911, told them I live at house number Pemberville Road
Woodville, Ohio, stressing Woodville, Ohio due to the fact there are two Pemberville roads. Long story
short I spoke to 2 dispatchers and they sent out Lake Township who called me when they couldn’t find me.
The man I spoke to, from Lake Township, sent me back into my home to write down the correct phone
number. I know that you should never go back into a burning building but I felt I had no choice and
shame on that man for not either transferring me or making the call for me. Then I realize this young
girl, who I didn’t know, has saved my life, my dogs’ lives and my home. I knew that I had to find her.
She had on an Eastwood letter jacket, so the next day I called the high school. To my luck Jody Eaton
answered the phone and told me she would see what she could do. Well great job to Jody, she found them.
It happened that Christine Russell was driving with her friend McKayla Phillips. McKayla told her to
turn around to make sure everyone in that house was okay. I am ever so grateful to McKayla for having
her friend turn around. I don’t know how many other people just drove by. She is my hero and I truly
believe had she not stopped I may not be here, my dogs may not be here and my home would have burned
down. I also know that she is the true definition of a hero, when tracking her down I found out that she
never even mentioned what she had done to her parents. I got to meet both girls and they are going to be
featured in their school newspaper but that didn’t seem to be enough recognition for me. I want the
world to know that McKayla Phillips went out of her way to care for strangers and she is my families’
hero along with her friend, Christine, who took the time to turn around.
Tina Vollmar
Woodville