Editor,

Unrecognized too often are the special people who go the extra mile to help others in need. During a recent ceremony, Island County’s Community Health Advisory Board and Board of Health celebrated a number of groups and individuals by awarding them the 2019 Linda Lee Martens Community Health Hero Award.

In the individual and group categories respectively, Mitch Incarnato and the South Whidbey High School Forefront Peer to Peer Training Team were named as the 2019 Health Hero Awardees.

Mitch was recognized for his many hours of service, including as a court-appointed special advocate, and as a volunteer for Hospice, his local food bank, Sound Water Stewards, Hearts and Hammers, Langley Whale Center, Equestrian Crossings and Camp Erin.

The South Whidbey High School group received this honor in recognition of their time and passion given to planning and leading student training on mental health and suicide awareness.

Special recognition was also given to Faith Wilder, Mark Phibbs, Christin McCausland, the Wildcat Robotics Team and the WhidbeyHealth Engineering Team.

The ceremony itself was brief and relatively small, especially given the breath and depth of their contributions. Our health heroes deserve more.

When you encounter these individuals and group members in your neighborhood, please extend a special “thank you.”

Holly Grason

Coupeville