The bonds we share with our customers are sometimes so strong they compel us to do a little extra for one another. And at #1227, Suwanee, Georgia, associates found a warm way to give back to a sweet customer.

Ronnie — affectionately known as Cookie Ronnie — visits #1227 several times a week and calls from the parking lot when she’s ready for an electronic cart. Each time, an associate drives one out to her and escorts her back inside. To show her appreciation for the personal service her favorite Publix associates provide, she bakes cookies to share with them.

She bakes gingerbread, chocolate chip, sugar and even pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing. But, she doesn’t just bring in a batch for the whole store to share — that’s not personal enough for Cookie Ronnie. Once she finds out which flavor each associate is most partial to, she writes that associate’s name on the tub — so they have their own stash of their favorite cookies!

“As soon as she found out snickerdoodle was my favorite, she started bringing in a special batch just for me. Sharing her cookies with us is how Ronnie shows her appreciation for the premier service she receives,” said Assistant Store Manager Kerry Fitzpatrick. “But that’s not why any of us do it. We enjoy taking care of all our customers, and that includes Ronnie.”

So, to show Ronnie how much they appreciated her too, associates from all over the store contributed their own money to help reimburse her for the cost of ingredients and baking supplies. They collected $277 and made a thank-you card that everyone signed with a heartfelt message. The next time Ronnie came in, several associates gathered to present her with the surprise.

“She was so excited, she couldn’t even speak. It made us so happy to be able to do something special for her,” said Kerry. “We’re a family-oriented store, and Ronnie is part of our family.”

At Publix, we know providing premier service can make a bigger difference in the lives of our customers than we’ll ever know. It’s part of the reason why they shop at our stores, and it’s part of who we are. Customers like Cookie Ronnie and associates like those at #1227 help make every day a little sweeter.

Do you have a heartwarming story to share about a store or an associate?

If so, send an email to corporate.communications@publix.com with the details. Read more stories by visiting PASSport > Our Company > Associate Applause.