March in the year of 2020 will not be something we soon forget. At the time of writing, the Coronavirus pandemic is still sweeping across America and significantly impacting our stores and our team members. To date, no one employed by our company has had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and we remain in prayer that it stays that way.
Now, here’s a secret about hard stuff that’s worth holding onto. In fact, you can put it in your comforting-thoughts-to-lean-on file, next to, “this too shall pass” and “you never know what you’re capable of until you’re looking back on it.”
Tough times create exceptional moments when you have the right people on your team.
Meet Gary, assistant manager at Market Street (19th and Quaker, Lubbock). Smack in the middle of viruspalooza, he met Bob Strong. Mr. Strong is an 80-year old guest of Market Street who happened to be in the store when a thunderstorm flooded the part of a parking lot where his vehicle was parked.
If ever there was a time where it might be understandable to fall short of the exceptional people-first experience The United Family is famous for, this was it. Not Gary, no, he saw a way to serve and he did whatever necessary to help.
Our guests are worried, team members are exhausted, and the unknowns are heavy on all of our hearts. Still, like Gary, countless #UnitedFamilyActsOfKindness are happening all over.
Comments and messages continue to flood in with expressions of sincere gratitude, stories of incredible acts of kindness, and proof of the amazing positive impact that makes The United Family special. In addition to those included below, there are hundreds more across social media.
Author’s note: as I write this, I am reminded how lucky we are to be in a position to serve others well in a time like this. I would bet that most, if not all, of the 18,000 team members in the family have had a moment this week where they were able to serve someone well. We are as grateful for our guests and communities that trust us to do our best to take care of them. That is an honor we don’t take lightly.
Video credit: Special thanks to Joseph and Laci Gonzales.
