I have never had an experience, either personally or in business, quite like the
Ken Garff Honda of Orem Christmas dinner service project. It was overwhelming to hear the stories of wonderful people caught in difficult situations. It was excruciating to help decide which families would receive a dinner. And it was moving to get the thank yous of those who were helped.
Honda of Orem definitely had their own skin in the game, donating Walmart gift cards for every basket. But the hams and the turkeys? From the employees. Stuffing, potatoes, fruit, vegetables, yams and marshmallows, and on, all from the generous donations of Honda of Orem employees--everyone from salesman to accounting to service techs. These good people opened their hearts and their wallets to provide a nice dinner for those who had had a rough year. As one thank you note put it, "You have been a bright spot in a not-so-bright world for [this little family] at this time."
The donations were so significant that each family received not a ham or a turkey, but a ham AND a turkey. One thank you note said this, "I just wanted to say thank you for your amazing generosity and tell you that your bounty was shard twice over. There was so much food that there was more than our family needed for Christmas. I called my Bishop and we were able to share our dinner with another family in need. Thank you again for all your kindness!"
It would be wholly inappropriate not to give credit to Debi Mauer who ran this whole program. She collected donations from the employees, she arranged for donations from business partners including
Smith's,
Mimi's,
Texas Roadhouse, and
Village Inn. She also had the privilege of calling the families to tell them they'd been nominated and arranging the delivery of the dinners. It was an emotionally impactful responsibility.
"As I talked to one woman," she told me, "I knew nothing of her story, but as she cried getting this news, I started crying. I was working so hard to maintain my composure and be professional, but I was leaving long gaps that were awkward."
Above all, this little story shows who Debi really is. Not only is she a woman who can make things happen, but she's a woman with a giving heart. She is a perfect representative of the Ken Garff Honda of Orem employees. Our motto is "We hear you." That's because we listen. And we listen because we care.
