We heard from Pam McCurley of Sylacauga, Ala. She and her husband have a biological son and are adopting another from a foster care program. The boys, ages 9 and 10, love monster trucks. Their biological son had been to a Monster Jam truck race and had his picture taken with some of the drivers. Their adoptive son had never attended a monster truck show. So for Christmas, both boys received tickets to what she called “the biggest event Monster Jam has,” an event at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome this past weekend.
As a bonus, the McCurleys wanted to get pit passes that allow visitors to meet the drivers and see the trucks up close hours before the event. The passes were available in participating Dairy Queens. After calling at least 10 Dairy Queens near their home in central Alabama and finding no passes, the McCurleys expanded their field and started calling Dairy Queens in Georgia, prepared to make a four-hour round trip to pick them up.
When they called the Dairy Queen in LaGrange, “this is where a local business went above and beyond to make two little boys’ dreams come true,” Pam McCurley said.
“My husband called to verify there were plenty of passes available, and we were assured there were. My husband was talking with the store’s James VanSchoor about coming to get the passes, and that’s when it happened, an act of kindness that will always be appreciated more than they will ever know. James said, ‘I tell you what, why don’t I take all your information and mail them to you to save you a trip.’
“They mailed them as promised, saving us a lengthy trip to pick them up and didn’t ask for anything in return. Not only were they the nicest people we talked to, they were the most helpful,” she said.
“So, people of LaGrange, please stop by and say hello to Judy and Taylor Merrill and James and Mercer VanSchoor. I encourage everybody to support their business. They truly go above and beyond to help people. We regret that we don’t live closer so we can support them. The world needs more people like them.”
Indeed. We couldn’t have said it better.
A day or so later, we heard from another out-of-state resident, Nikki Cummings Porter of Galveston, Texas. During a recent holiday visit, she was admitted on an emergency basis to West Georgia Medical Center.
“As a retired Registered Nurse, I am familiar with hospital protocols and function,” she said. “It has been my privilege to serve in some fine facilities and in some which were not so fine. West Georgia Medical Center epitomizes those which are fine.”
She said from the time of her treatment and admission through the emergency department until her discharge several days later from the hospital’s sixth floor, “the teamwork and skills demonstrated by every member of the hospital was easily recognized as being ‘the way things were,’ not just hospital PR.”
Porter said she was struck by the fact that everyone - including messengers; housekeeping; dietary, respiratory and X-ray services, and others - were truly interested in making what at the time seemed like an impossible situation as bearable as possible.
“The majority of my contacts was with the sixth-floor medical team and nursing staff. The teamwork and caring demonstrated by Dr. Champion and this group of dedicated physicians, nurses and their assistant could not be more highly lauded,” Porter said. “Without fail, any and all of my requests were responded to immediately and with efficiency. Staff members frequently checked (without being asked) to see if I had any needs which were not being met or if there was anything which could be done to add to my comfort. In truth, I had very few requests since my needs were anticipated and met before I thought of them.”
Porter said she felt appreciation and gratitude to all the hospital staff for all the kindnesses shown and the efforts made on her behalf.
“Your residents should be very proud of this facility and of each staff person there,” she said. “They surely portray the best of Georgia hospitality and medical service.”
Sometimes we tend to take for granted the actions of those around us. So when strangers recognize the way they are treated are being out of the ordinary and feel compelled to praise them, we should step back ourselves and realize we truly have caring individuals in our midst. That’s what makes our community such a special one.
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