From teacher and mentor to life saver, the leap wasn’t too great when Johnny Watley, owner of Unified Martial Arts Training Center, helped save 22-year-old Willie Ward’s life a year ago. Now the center is reaching out to help Willie again.

The families at United Martial Arts Training Center are planning a garage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at their center, 803 S. Kelly.

“We will be holding the sale rain or shine,” Watley said. “If we have to move indoors, no problem.”

Watley said hot dogs and hamburgers will be on the grill with a martial arts presentation at 11 a.m.

The majority of bills faced by Ward, a University of Central Oklahoma student, have been paid for by charity, Watley added, but there are still some outstanding bills that need to be covered.

“We consider the students and their families that come to our center our family,” Watley said, “and if we are a family then we need to help when we see a need.”

Watley and his wife, Charlene, own the martial arts center where Ward was sparring during a class, when he was struck in the upper chest and lost consciousness.

Watley, Wana Self, a nurse and student at the center, and a parent, Dennis McKee, started performing CPR on Ward while waiting for firefighters to arrive.

Watley said after the completion of the first round of chest compressions, Willie started to gasp for air, but then he lost a pulse and stopped breathing.

The three resumed CPR.

In September the three were recognized by Edmond Fire Chief Gil Harryman for their quick action that saved Ward’s life and were awarded Citizen Life Saver Award certificates.

Ward has recovered thanks to the team effort of the three first responders and the three firefighters that arrived to help.

“I told Willie that God is not through with him yet, so he needs to find God’s purpose for his life,” said Watley, who is also the fitness coordinator at UCO’s Wellness Center.

Watley said the center is a forum in which he can mentor.

“Along my way someone helped me to get where I am,” Watley said, “and I want to be a positive role model for young people.”

The center also provides gift baskets of food at Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as toys for children who may not receive any.

Tammy Clements’ daughter is enrolled in Tai Kwan Do at the center.

“I can’t say enough about Mr. and Mrs. Watley,” Clements said. “They are always there if someone needs them. At Christmas my family received a food basket. I have three grandchildren who wouldn’t have had food or gifts had it not been for the Watleys.

“I couldn’t ask for better people as role models for my children.”

UMATC facilitates student advancement through positive mentoring, discipline, goal setting and positive reinforcement resulting in improved health and increased self-esteem, Watley said.

“We want to provide a health-related facility where one mentors to the Edmond-area youth,” Watley added. “The facility will maintain a positive environment and consistent, positive role model for reinforcing family values.”

One of the students, Krissy Knoch said, “Saturday’s fundraiser will not only help this young man but will also help provide groceries, pay bills, provide uniforms, tournament entry fees and assistance to those that are in need.”