EMOTIONS RAN HIGH as some 40 of us gathered Thursday evening at the Faribault police station to honor two individuals who helped save the life of a motorcyclist severely-injured in an August 26 car-motorcycle crash by our house.
One of those honored was my husband, Randy. Also recognized was Paloma Sanchez, a passing motorist who stopped and joined Randy at the side of Scott “Scooter” Hoffbeck.
In part, the award presented to Randy reads: “In recognition of your commendable courage, compassion, and a willingness to assist a seriously injured individual during a life-threatening emergency.”
Those words reflect the seriousness of the crash, which left Scooter with severe head trauma, a broken pelvis and more requiring several weeks in the ICU. To see him Thursday evening doing so well nearly two months after he was airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester proved emotional. He’s currently recovering in a local care center, working hard to rebuild his strength so he can walk again.
Several times on Thursday I glanced back to see Scooter and others in tears. I was on the verge myself. To see him upright in a wheelchair, talking, showing emotion, contrasted sharply with my memory of Scooter lying on the pavement moaning, his breathing ragged, the back of his head a graphic, bloody mess. He has no memory of the crash and for that I am grateful.
I am also grateful for the calm manner in which Randy and Paloma rendered aid, Randy kneeling beside Scooter in Willow Street, holding his hand while blood pooled. And Paloma using her new jacket to cradle Scooter’s head.
The responding officer, Todd Bristol, shared how thankful he was for their quick response, their choice to help, something that he noted is becoming a rare occurrence in a time when people would rather pull out their cellphones and record.
That word “compassion” in the award presented to Randy says it all. Love thy neighbor.
I was on scene, too, but not next to Scooter because I couldn’t handle seeing his injuries. Instead, I stood barefoot in the middle of busy Willow Street waving my arms wildly above my head so oncoming motorists would see me in the dark, slow down and avoid hitting the two men in the middle of the street. Paloma had not yet arrived on scene.
I also, immediately upon running out of our house, prayed aloud for the injured motorcyclist lying in the street. I shared that with the crowd at the recognition ceremony, emphasizing the power of prayer and the presence of God. Paloma did the same.
That August evening as the ambulance took Scooter directly from the scene to a waiting air ambulance at the local airport, none of us knew if he would survive. But he did and looks remarkable considering the extent of his injuries.
Credit for his survival goes in part to those two everyday, average citizens, Randy and Paloma, who chose to step in and help an injured man in need. Their “immediate intervention may have been instrumental in sustaining the (motorcycle) operator’s life until EMS personnel could take over his care” reads the award. I agree.
I am incredibly proud of Randy. He spoke briefly after receiving his award, sharing that he was injured in a motorcycle crash nearly 30 years ago. His injuries, though, were minor and he encouraged Scooter to keep working hard in his recovery. He also noted his experience reacting to medical trauma. In 1967, at age 11, Randy raced across cow pasture and fields to a neighbor’s farm for help after his dad’s hand was caught in a corn chopper. That was after he turned off the power take-off. His dad survived, losing his left fingers and forearm, but not his life.
And today Scooter is alive, partly thanks to the actions of Randy and of Paloma.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
This is love February 12, 2026
Tags: care, commentary, compassion, Faribault, helping neighbors, kindness, love, Minnesota, murals, Northfield, Pine Island, Valentine's Day
WHAT IS LOVE if not compassion, care and kindness, often privately, but also publicly, expressed? Each holds value.
On Valentine’s Day, I appreciate a loving valentine, a box of chocolates and/or a dozen roses as much as anyone. But what I value even more is the steadfast love that is part of my daily life. The love that comes in a hug, a kind word, a loving gesture, a caring act, a text.
I also appreciate the ways in which communities show love. Neighbors helping neighbors. Nonprofits providing for those in need of food, housing, financial assistance. Volunteers helping in their communities in whatever ways they can, whenever they can. We are seeing a lot of that right now.
This is love.
And then there’s love-themed art found in public spaces. I’ve discovered love on murals, in signs, even on the back of a car. I often photograph these love messages because I think it’s important to document the positive, that which uplifts, that which connects all of us no matter our differences.
Love is universal. And how we express and live love matters in connecting us, building relationships, bettering our communities.
Love comes in a smile, a door held, a supportive arm offered, an encouraging word spoken. Words matter. They need not be poetic or profound, simply rooted in kindness, understanding, care.
Listening, too, is love, something we could all be better at practicing. The same goes for thinking before we speak or anonymously type behind our screens.
On Valentine’s Day, I hope we can all pause and ponder the ways in which we can grow love. In our personal lives. In our neighborhoods. In our communities. For “what the world needs now is love, sweet love.” And a whole lot more of it.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling