Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote, “Music is the universal language of mankind.”

Assistant Deli Manager Joshua Woodward, #1065, Hueytown, Alabama, found a way to share that language with a young musician who visited his store.

Two of Joshua’s regular customers, 9-year-old Natalia and her mother, struck up a conversation with him and shared that Natalia was learning to play the violin.

“She loved playing the violin but sadly had to return it at the end of the school year,” Joshua said. “When she told me that, I knew what I had to do.”

Growing up in Mobile, Alabama, Joshua and his best friend, Robert, played violin in the school band. When Robert passed away in 1996, his mother gave his violin to Joshua, who kept the instrument for over 25 years — until he met Natalia.

When Joshua returned home from work that day, he pulled out his friend’s old violin, cleaned it up and put it in his truck for the next time Natalia visited the store.

“I thought about it every day before she came back in,” Joshua said.

He recalls reaching out to Robert’s mother the day he decided to give Natalia the violin.

“She said, ‘This is exactly what Robert would want. It just took you 27 years to find her,’” Joshua said.

After Natalia and her mother returned to the store a few days later, he gave Robert’s violin to the aspiring violinist.

“I told her, ‘This belonged to a very good friend of mine,’” Joshua said. “She smiled and gave me a big hug. She was so excited.”

Since that day, Natalia’s mother sends videos of her playing to Joshua, updating him on her progress.

“She’s better than me,” he laughed. “And I’ve been playing for over 25 years!”

For providing exceptional customer service and care to a young musician who wanted to learn more about the violin, Joshua received a Mr. George Gold Coin. However, Joshua said he didn’t do it for the recognition.

“I just wanted to do something good,” he explained.

He hopes receiving this honor inspires other associates to go the extra mile for their customers.

“Positivity is contagious,” he said. “The more you’re around it, the better this world is.”

The Mr. George Gold Coin Award is given to associates who embrace the Publix culture and provide premier service the way Mr. George himself would have. Receiving a gold coin means you’ve made a real difference in the lives of others by going above and beyond. Associates can become eligible for a gold coin by receiving praise through the customer care department, which reviews each case based on established criteria and guidelines.

Take a moment to read about other Mr. George Gold Coin recipients in Publix News