Bristol Township Camp Offical Honored With Heroism Award

Bristol Township officials awarded an award for heroism at the workplace to the Bristol Township Recreational Coordinator during a council meeting Thursday night.

"Her actions show her dedication to both her staff, and the children she works with," Bristol Township Mayor John Monahan said.

Sherri Champey, the Bristol Township recreational coordinator for six years, was awarded for what Monahan described as quick and brave actions in an emergency medical incident that happened at the annual Bristol Township Summer Camp at the Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School in August.

According to Champey, it was an average morning at the day camp when a camp counselor she was chatting with turned in the wrong direction and inadvertently threw his arm through a solid glass door.

"It was real bad," Champey said.

The glass from the shattered door sliced the counselor's wrist causing it to bleed profusely. Trained in C.P.R and first aid, Champey applied pressure to the wound while other members of staff went to get help.

"Your mom instinct kicks in. I just started barking orders," Champey said.

Paramedics arrived on scene and took the injured counselor to the hospital for surgery. He made a full recovery.

While Champey said she is honored and humbled to receive the award from the township, she said she feels much credit needs to go to her staff at the summer camp.

"My staff went above and beyond what they should have. I'm not the only one who deserves this award. We all deserved this," Champey said.

Champey said that as she attended to the counselor's wounds her staff quickly acted in making sure the children were away from the scene. While others called 9-1-1, some staff braved the grim scene to talk to and comfort the injured counselor.

Bristol Townshi'ps summer camp is an annual event between June and August for children ages 5 to 14. On average, more than 100 kids participate in the 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. day camp every year.