Great things can come in small, sprinkled packages.

Near closing time one evening in mid-March, an out-of-town couple approached Bakery Clerk Nicole Mungin, #727, Palatka, Florida. They were visiting both of their parents for the weekend and wanted to do something special to reveal the gender of their unborn child. With fewer flights due to the coronavirus and possible travel restrictions, the couple was not sure when they would be able to return for a traditional gender reveal. When Nicole heard their story, her face lit up.

“As soon as they told me their situation, I immediately knew I wanted to do something special for them,” Nicole said. “They showed me the results of the test, which they had not seen yet, and I told them to come back in 15 minutes.”

Realizing what an opportunity she had to make their special announcement memorable, she grabbed some cupcakes, sprinkles and a card. Nicole arranged the cupcakes in a box so no one could see them before the right moment and sprinkled them with the appropriate color.

The next day, the couple came back to the store to find Nicole. Crying, they expressed their extreme gratitude for the beautiful cupcakes and thoughtful card. Never had they expected Nicole to take the extra time to personalize the goodies, especially since the bakery was about to close.

After talking for a few minutes, Nicole was overcome with emotion. She told the couple about losing her 14-year-old daughter just a few years prior, and she was filled with joy when she saw they were expecting a little girl of their own. Nicole felt she honored the memory of her daughter by showing unexpected kindness to the couple, just as her daughter had for everyone she met.

“I am so happy I was able to be there for them in that moment,” said Nicole. “They kept expressing how I had been such a blessing, but really, they were the blessing to me.”

Nicole said half of her job is to “be there,” especially in situations like these. She demonstrated Mr. George’s lesson by being there for the expectant parents in a time of need. Her action carries on the legacy of Mr. George and the culture of service that makes Publix special.

A gold coin 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 gold coin winners in Publix News.