What One Montauk Lifeguard Did Will Melt Your Heart

MONTAUK, NY — Chivalry is alive and well in Montauk.

Just ask Janet Dunne, a Connecticut woman who wrote an open letter to the Montauk Chamber of Commerce about an act of kindness that has touched countless hearts.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell shared the post, saying, "This makes me proud of our community, lifeguard staff, and Shane. You're the best."

Jenna McCann wrote, on Facebook, "Today I am a very proud mom! Please read this open letter, with photo, to the Montauk Chamber of Commerce about my son, Shane McCann, from a very grateful visitor."

The letter reads: "I am writing to you because I wasn't sure who to send this to. My sister-in-law, myself and our 94-year-old mother just spent a few days at the Surf Club in Montauk."

She added, "We've been coming to Montauk for the past 12 years and every year have managed to get my mom to the beach. But, this year was very difficult so the first few days she spent at the pool with us checking on her every hour. She really wanted to 'see the waves' but we didn't think it would be possible."

And then Shane stepped in to the rescue.

"I called your office to inquire about beach wheelchairs and was told to check with the lifeguards. When I checked, they didn't have one, but offered to pick my mom up and bring her to the beach. A wonderful lifeguard named Shane picked my mom up at the door to our room, helped her into the dune buggy and drove her to where were were sitting in front of the Surf Club. The look on my mom's face was something I will never forget and this made our vacation."

Shane, she said, picked up her mom at 4 p.m. and brought her back to the room.

"He gave her a hug and told her she was an inspiration to him. Made me cry!" the grateful daughter wrote. "Also, we tipped him both ways, coming and going, and he informed me that he wasn't keeping the money but was sharing it with everyone. If all of Montauk's lifeguards are this wonderful, you are a very lucky town to have them."

One act of pure love and kindness changed everything for that Connecticut family.

"I love Montauk and always have," Dunne wrote. "This may be my mom's last visit, so this meant more than I can ever say."