Everyday Angels

Since 2006, Orlando Quick has lived, worked and served our community, schools and youth sports selflessly. Along with coaching the seventh-grade Etowah Junior

Eagles football team, he serves in the PTA, leads school councils and volunteers whenever a need arises. “He means so much to our family and our community. He has a servant heart and never leaves anyone on the sidelines,” said Dayna Kinney, family friend.

In September, Orlando tragically was struck from behind and dragged by a vehicle. “Sept. 25th was a good Sunday. It was a beautiful day and our family woke up, set aside our excuses and went to The Factory Church — our home of worship,” Orlando said. “We watched our youngest son, Dalton, condition at Velocity, a training center in Canton, and then had the coaches over to the house to discuss our strategies before next week’s game. When they left, I still had time to get my daily two-mile walk in — Day 28 of a 66-day challenge I had committed to. I asked Dalton if he wanted to walk with me, and he declined — thankfully. I told my wife, Resa, that I’d be back shortly, but that didn’t happen.”

When Resa noticed Orlando had been gone longer than usual, she decided to call him. “There was no answer. I knew his walking routes, so I asked my son to try calling him as I got in my car. Still no answer. As I approached our subdivision entrance, there was traffic and police cars in the distance. I was unable to enter Rose Creek Drive, so I decided to go the back way to see if I could get closer to the scene. Fearful and frustrated, I called 911 and explained that I could not reach my husband and there was a lot of police and ambulance activity along his walking route. They said that someone would be calling me, and I should accept a call from an unknown number. I finally received a call from an emergency room doctor from Kennestone, who said that they had my husband. He had been hit by a car, and he was in pretty bad shape. When I arrived at the ER, Orlando was in a four-hour surgery, as they tried to save his legs. It wasn’t until 4:30 a.m. that I was able to see him. He was in intensive care,” she said.

“I was just walking on the sidewalk of Rose Creek Drive, outside our subdivision in Towne Lake and, the next thing I knew, I was laying on the street unable to move,” Orlando said. “I felt the presence of the Lord and a voice that said, ‘Do you want to live or do you want to die?’ And I knew that my family needed me, so I remained calm.

“Miraculously, the first person to the scene was a former EMT and current administrator for Kennestone’s EMT training program, Dave Crosby. Did you hear that? The one person who knew what to do to save me happened to be right there at that very moment before medics arrived. He is my angel.”

Orlando remains in the hospital, as surgeons work to reconstruct both of his legs. He will require more surgeries, rehab and extensive physical therapies, but a full recovery is possible. However, it will require a year of hard work and patience.

Orlando and Resa have two sons, Jalin, 20, and Dalton, 12. Orlando is a Realtor for Keller Williams in Woodstock, and Resa works full time for Comcast in human resources. “We are so blessed, but the year ahead will be difficult,” Resa said.

“We live in the most wonderful community. We are grateful for all who have reached out and have supported us and prayed for us — our church, neighborhood, football families, schools and strangers. I don’t know why this happened, but I can’t be mad about it. I am here, and I am thankful for that. I will be back better and stronger than ever. My work here is not done,” Orlando said.

During this season of giving, let us rally around this sweet guy and show him how much our community loves and appreciates him. May he allow us to give back a small portion of all he has given.

Orlando and Resa Quick, with their sons, Jalin and Dalton.

Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal, or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. If you know of a special need in our community, email aaeverydayangels@gmail.com.