Jacksonville Division
Team recognizes associate’s milestone birthday
Front Service Clerk Stephen Lawrence, #435, Gainesville, Florida, recently turned 95. He’s been a Publix associate for 15 years, working two to three times a week at the store. Customer Service Manager Alana Cole describes the former Tuskegee Airman as a piece of walking history and a true American hero.
“He was a mechanic during World War II. There are many life lessons to be learned from him,” Alana said.
When he’s not providing superior customer service at the store, he participates in motivational speaking engagements throughout Gainesville and the surrounding communities.
“Stephen is a role model. He engages with all our customers, and he’s always on time — early actually — with a smile and a story,” Store Manager Pete Scammacca said.
The team celebrated Stephen’s birthday with a homemade pasta dinner, cake and gifts in the store’s cafe.
Lakeland Division
Associates help children at local youth home
Assistant Customer Service Manager Cody Mead, #1441, Tampa, Florida, leads a team of associates from several stores that contribute regularly to the Joshua House, a home for displaced children.
“With Cody’s leadership and involvement, the Joshua House has benefitted greatly,” said District Manager Chris McGough, who is a board member of the nonprofit organization.
Often the children arrive with their clothes in trash bags. So, the store collected a truckload of backpacks and suitcases for children to pack their belongings in. This contribution should last the Joshua House several years. Associates also collected blankets and conducted holiday toy drives for the children.
“These donations give them a sense of dignity and joy. It makes me proud to know we have touched so many young lives,” said Cody, who has been a United Way coordinator for many years and started this specialized program to support the Joshua House.
Additionally, managers and associates visit the children at the home sponsored by Publix Charities and other homes located on the 11-acre site each month for birthday celebrations, complete with gifts, Publix cake, ice cream, chips and soda. This effort is led by Store Manager Lewis Bradham, #627, Tampa, Florida, along with other district associates and managers. About 15 team members attend each month.
“These children might not otherwise have anyone remember their birthday,” Cody said. “It’s important they see the results of kindness making a difference in others’ lives.”
Lakeland and Charlotte Divisions
Teams deliver 9/11 appreciation meals
On Sept. 11, teams in Florida and North Carolina each took meals to their local fire departments to show appreciation to the first responders in their community.
Associates from #1171, Lakeland, Florida — Grocery Manager Marty Benton, Assistant Deli Manager Mary Foulk and Produce Clerk Mackenzie Freeman — did the honors of gathering and delivering meals to the firefighters and paramedics at their local fire department.
And in North Carolina, District Manager Howard Walker’s stores took part in visiting their local fire departments. For example, Store Manager Chris Hendrickson, Assistant Customer Service Manager Liz Guertin and Produce Manager Kimon Taing, #1481, Huntersville, brought a balloon bouquet and served up deli fried chicken, cut fruit, sweet tea and cake to the Huntersville fire department.
