Home Depot

This is a feel good story about a huge home improvement chain store and a small family in a small community.

In January 2016, after Preston had spent nearly 3 months in the hospital, the doctor’s  FINALLY scheduled a release date for early February.   It was a happy day!  And the countdown began.

But before we could bring Preston home, our house had to be made handicap accessible. Preston was wheelchair bound. My brother’s took time off work, neglected their own families and responsibilities to help in the rush to get it all done.  The biggest project that we had was having a massive ramp built that nearly spanned the entire length of our home.

One day, my brother was in Home Depot buying lumber for the project.   Like most small towns, everybody knows everybody.   He ran into a family friend employed there.  Home Depot already knew about Preston’s story and wanted to help.

A few days later, I came home from the hospital to find employees from Home Depot at my house VOLUNTEERING on their day off building a ramp.  Home Depot provided all the lumber and supplies. Unbelievable.  And humbling.

Home Depot made such an impact on me that I wanted to work for this great company.  A year later, it was time for me to merge back into the work force.  Home Depot hired me for a part time position that allowed me to care for Preston during the week and work for them on the weekends.  Unfortunately 7 months later, it was time for me to go back to work full time in my own career path.

During that time, I was able to take Preston and introduce him to some of the fine fellows that built that ramp.  And to listen to strangers tell Preston how they had kept up with his recovery and prayed for him.

Home Depot was probably the only “blue collar” job I’ve ever had, I learned so much about this great company and the employees.  It was refreshing to be be among good, salt of the earth people that genuinely care about their customers and their community.

Home Depot will always hold a special place in my heart.  It’s employees will always hold an even more special place. In a world full of darkness, there is still much light being shed.

You just might find it on aisle 14 at your local Home Depot.