Two young men were recognized recently for taking the initiative when they came across an elderly neighbor in need.

Tyler Riley and Nick Warriner, seventh graders at Thomas Hunter Middle School, earned the thanks of the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad and Mathews County Sheriff’s Office for their quick thinking on Feb. 26.

It was a cold and windy evening when, driving along Henry Street on Gwynn’s Island in a golf cart, they heard cries of help from an elderly lady who had fallen near her front door and was badly injured.

Immediately, the boys sprang into action, calling 911 and getting a blanket and pillow for the woman to make sure she was warm and comfortable while they awaited the ambulance. The boys stayed with the woman until the EMTs arrived.

Riley, 13, and Warriner, 12, were the guests of honor at the rescue squad’s March 22 meeting. The boys and their parents were given a VIP tour of the squad’s facilities, including the ambulance bays, where they delighted in being able to use the siren, horns and emergency lights of the squad’s new ambulance.

In the MVRS meeting, Ron Lambert, chairman of the squad’s board of directors, praised the boys’ efforts and complimented them on being good citizens and taking on the responsibility to help a person in need. MVRS president Judy Buis and Lambert then gave each of them a gift certificate to a local restaurant and encouraged them to have a lot of ice cream in their celebration. Both were extended an offer to join the MVRS in a few years.

"With darkness approaching and falling temperatures, had you not acted when and how you did, the successful rescue could have had a much different outcome. All of us at MVRS are so proud of you," Lambert, told the boys.

Last Thursday, Sheriff Mark Barrick and Lt. Bill Riley (Tyler’s proud father) visited Thomas Hunter Middle School to present the boys framed certificates of appreciation from the Mathews County Sheriff’s Office in recognition of their lifesaving effort.