Bartender Gets $5K Thank-You from Customer He Saved

BETHESDA, MD — A customer of the Oakville Grille and Wine Bar in Bethesda was so grateful when the eatery’s bartender saved him from choking that he sent a special thank-you note. Tucked in the card was a check for $5,000 made out to bartender and savior Darko Stankovic.

The 67-year-old diner, identified only as Mike, was at the restaurant Dec. 10 when he choked on a piece of steak. As the man began to turn blue and a hostess called 911, Stankovic, a former lifeguard, rushed over and successfully performed the Heimlich Maneuver on the choking victim. That dislodged the bite of steak and the man finished his dinner.

Days later, co-owner Abby Ansari told WTOP the man called the restaurant to get the name of the bartender and to say he would be sending a thank-you card. The staff was stunned to find a $5,000 check made out to Stankovic.

The grateful diner wrote, in part: “I know this is not necessary. I know it is not why you acted so calmly and competently. But I would not be having Christmas with my family if you had not acted. Thank you!”

Stankovic said he appreciates the generous gift, which he may share with his co-workers and donate to a charity to help children.

“It is a miracle that everybody should know,” Ansari told WJLA. “To me, this is what Christmas is all about, about giving about love, about what happened here,” said Ansari.