March13, 2008
For Immediate Release

Life Saving Lunch Lady Honored by Red Cross
The Shaffer Elementary Kitchen Manager, Mary Zimmerman, is one of the most popular lunch ladies in Jeffco Schools.    
It was a typical day in the school’s lunchroom last April, when third-grader Brittnay Wilson began to choke on a piece of bread. 

Zimmerman was behind the lunch counter and saw Brittnay choking, but had never performed the Heimlich maneuver, only seeing the move on TV.

Her quick thinking saved Brittnay and earned Zimmerman the nickname of "Life-saving Lunch Lady." The school's principal, Anne Sterrett, even made up an impromptu song about her.

Zimmerman will receive an American Red Cross Mile High Chapter award at the Breakfast of Champions, on Friday, March 14, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency, 650 15th St., Denver. The event honors life-saving individuals and organizations who exemplify courage, compassion and unselfish character through their acts of heroism in our community.  
Shaffer students, Rebecca Updyke, Madisyn Barnes, Michael Ardourel, and Brittany Wilson, the student on whom the Heimlich maneuver was performed, will perform the "Life Saving Lunch Lady" song as a surprise to Zimmerman at the awards breakfast.      
  
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