Well, I have a couple of situations that I think best describes the types of individuals we have in this area of the country working as associates for American Greetings, and their commitment to do anything to get the job done on time and most efficiently.

Years ago we had a severe snowstorm, where most everything you know was going to be shutdown, but, you know some retail stores had to give it a go, regardless of the situation. Wouldn't you know, we also had a revision scheduled for this day, in a chain that when you schedule such activities, you are not given much of an option to reschedule.

We were not only on time that morning, (we had this scheduled to start at 7 am) but some of our crew showed up early, and were able to enter using the system at the front door for their employees, and were greeted with smiles and incredulous looks and inquiries such as "what in the heck are you doing here?" and "what are you all thinking, don't you know that there is a blizzard going on and it is not due to stop"?   Well, I not only had a full crew show up, but later learned one individual was too afraid or concerned to drive, so she took the city bus to the store! This, you must understand is not a big city where taking the bus is an everyday occurrence or selection of most people, she really went out of her way to get to the store to do her job.

Well, since we were all at the store, there was just a little discussion involved regarding this revision, and EVERYONE was of the same belief, let's go for it and get it done!  This revision took us about four hours to complete, the Managers at the store kept coming over to see if we were okay, thanking us over and over again how they appreciated us coming in to complete this, while telling us we could have waited and they would have understood completely why it would not have happened. Also, they kept giving us the details of which schools now had closed, as well as other businesses that were closing, and weather updates.

Some of the Merchandisers were getting quite concerned, wondering if they would make it home. I offered my services and told them I would get them home regardless of the weather, one way or another, but their car may not!

Well, we finished the revision, looked at each other, congratulated each other, and then asked each other why we were there? It was really snowing hard now, and was a blizzard by any description! The reports were that it was not going to let up for some time, and everything was closing, businesses, night classes, services, etc. We all got together, got a strategy for making it home, pairing up with others making sure someone followed someone on the way home. Everyone notified their spouses that they were on there way. I offered to give anyone a ride home if they wanted it, or to lead or follow anyone home for safety purposes.

We were getting ready to proceed out the door when the Store Manager informed us that this chain store was closing for the day because of the severe weather, and that the entire Mall was closing as well. This being a large and successful regional mall, when it closed, we knew we had a storm!

For quite some time after this incident, whenever there was an American Greetings request at this store, we were treated with such respect and admiration, we knew we did the right thing and braved that winter storm, for our updating revision!

Everyone made it home that day safely and without incident, which we are all thankful. In hindsight, and for safety measures, we probably will not do this again as it really turned into a storm, one that lasted a couple of days. But, the admiration focused on our group by the store personnel, really made our jobs and us feel special for quite some time!