An Angel Among Us: A Local Man's Heroic Deed

Just before the New Year a local man (and Santee Patch ), , was all over the local news for a heroic deed. He helped pull a disabled woman out of her burning van. He and the others had to act fast because the fire had killed the electrical system which rendered the wheel chair lift inoperable.

Here are the links to the media coverage about the rescue effort:

KUSI
http://www.kusi.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6596604#.Tv645mRAPTU.facebook
 
NBC   (you may have to copy and past this link in a new window to get it to open to the correct story) 
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video/#!/news/local/Strangers-Save-Trapped-Fire-Victim/136433088  
 
ABC (This shows an actual article with a small video box on the page)
http://www.10news.com/news/30100397/detail.html

Now here is what the media DIDN'T tell anyone that is just mind-boggling.  This is not the FIRST heroic effort by Joe.  He's been down this road before.  When we were talking ther other day I was amazed when he told me.  

Whenever the hostage situation at the Lakeside post office happened (2003 or 2004?) he was there when it happened!  He helped evacuate the lobby and stayed out front of the post office to keep others from entering until the police arrived.  He wound up getting some sort of recognition from the post office and then from our local San Diego government. 

Then, when Orange County had their wild fires (2007 or 2008?) Joe decided to drive up to help at one of the shelters. It turns out the Orange County Register did a story of his incredible persistance and the results of his efforts.  Here is the link to it: www.ocregister.com/articles/spencer-201640-help-pillows.html  

It's amazing to find someone who is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand.

One of our members described Joe as a person who "never shies away from any job and his energy seems inexhaustable!"  I couldnt have said it better.

This guy is ALL over our school and school district working for our children!  He volunteers one a week in his daughters class.  He has done this every year that I know of.  He is the volunteer on campus for a banking program for the kids through .  He is on a bunch of committees for the school district.  He .  He has gotten the media involved at the school board meetings to try and prevent the district from making the decision to .  You might remember seeing him on one of the networks and .  Only Joe could bring relevance to CUPCAKES!

Joe also is the Vice-President for the Santee School District Foundation and he also has played Santa Claus for our school for several years.  I see how the kids (inlcuding my own) interact with Joe on campus and its a sight to see.  They love him.

This man is one of a kind.  He is always willing to help and also is willing to step in to make changes even if it means stepping on toes or disrupting the status quo. He does all of this as a single parent.   

We truly need more people like Joe Spencer.