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And 9-1-1 dispatcher Candy Allen, of Dryden, is being called an Everyday Hero by the American Red Cross. She will be honored at the 12th Annual " Salute to Everyday Heroes" on Friday evening at the Captain's Club of Woodfield in Grand Blanc. Everyday heroes are ordinary people who one day find themselves living through extraordinary circumstances and doing remarkable things, according to Genesee and Lapeer County American Red Cross public relations spokesperson Jeanette Lake.

ABC TV Channel 12 taped a recreation of Allen's part in the birth. It was aired locally on television Monday afternoon. But recreation is not necessary for Allen, who will never forget the first time she helped deliver a baby from start to finish.

"I was a great experience, but I was nervous," Allen said. "I felt really good when the I found out the baby was okay and breathing okay."

Shade wasn't due to be born for more than three weeks when his mother, Jolene Meyer, of Deerfield Township, suddenly felt contractions.

"It all happened so fast," said Jolene after the birth. "He wasn't due and contractions were for short periods. The I realized, this is it. It really helped to have 9-1-1 on the phone."

Jolene screamed for her husband and Brad ran in from the garage. He helped his wife onto the bathroom floor and saw the top of his new son's head. That's when he called 9-1-1 and reached Allen, who was on duty. Together, Jolene, Brad and Allen delivered Shade.

Allen has never seen Shade, though she'd like to. She knows her role in his birth won't be forgotten.

"It was so exciting," she said. "His mom came up her and got a recording of the 9-1-1 tape for his baby book."

Allen was nominated for the Everyday Hero award by County Central Dispatch Director Vic Martin.

"She does a great job," Martin said. "We all take a lot of pride in our work here."

Allen plans to attend the Salute to Everyday Heroes banquet with her mom and dad.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com.