Front desk hero saved guest’s life
Front desk hero honoured with Heart of Kindness Award for saving guest’s life
A North Bay hotel worker was recognized Thursday for her extraordinary act of bravery after saving the life of a guest in medical distress earlier this spring.
Sheri St. Martin, a front desk employee at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, received the Mary Davis Heart of Kindness Award in an emotional ceremony held at the hotel. The award is part of Kindness Week activities organized by The Kindness Project.
“We heard this incredible story this year about Sheri performing a selfless act,” said Scott Clark, of The Kindness Project organizing committee and host of the event. “We said what if we could bring (Nipissing Paramedic Services advanced care paramedic) Shane, who supported Sheri that day, and present her with the award this year.”
St. Martin, who was visibly moved throughout the ceremony, played a crucial role in saving a woman’s life in late April. After the guest fell seriously ill, St. Martin acted quickly, offering help, calling 911, and performing CPR until paramedics arrived.
“I was trained in CPR... I just did it,” she said, her voice shaking. “The woman tells me how much she appreciates me.”
Crystal Thompson, general manager of Homewood Suites, recounted the events leading up to the emergency. The guest had arrived with her husband and mentioned she wasn’t feeling well, suspecting low blood sugar. St. Martin offered orange juice, escorted the couple to their room, and later responded to a frantic call from the husband.
“She didn’t hesitate,” Thompson said. “She threw the pillows off the bed, jumped on top and performed CPR, and she just kept going until the paramedics got there. For that, the guest is alive. She’s doing well. She just got out of the hospital about a week ago.”
Representatives from The Kindness Project, CMHA North Bay and District, and Nipissing District Paramedic Services were in attendance, alongside St. Martin’s family, coworkers and members of the media.
Clark acknowledged the critical role paramedics play in the community. “Thank you for the good work you do,” he said, noting that local paramedics responded to roughly 20,000 calls last year, equivalent to about a call every 26 minutes.
The Heart of Kindness Award is named after Mary Davis, CEO of CMHA North Bay and District, the driving force behind The Kindness Project and its mission to inspire everyday acts of kindness.
Thompson said the experience has deeply affected St. Martin. “You don’t expect your front desk to have to do what she did. I give kudos to the paramedics having to do that on a daily basis. You’ve got to be strong.”
In the weeks since, coworkers, friends, and family have rallied around St. Martin. The guest’s husband has stayed in touch with regular updates, and St. Martin recently travelled to Ottawa to visit the woman she helped save.
“She’s been through a lot,” said Clark. “With her efforts, this woman is alive in Ottawa today.”
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About The Kindness Project
The Kindness Project is powered by CMHA North Bay and District and supported by a steering committee of community partners, volunteers, and Clark Communications. Built around a one-week campaign each spring, it is based on the simple yet powerful idea of “Do good. Feel good,” the science of kindness, and its positive impacts on mental and physical health. It encourages everyday acts of kindness as a way to build a stronger, more connected community.
