Hometown Heros
Donation protected
In Minneapolis the summer of 2020 has definitely been one for the history books☹️. But, before our city made national headlines, there were neighbors who made this city of almost 400,000 feel like small-town-home. 365 days a year we could count on the owners (The Andersons❤️) to be there for last-minute grocery needs and a warm conversation. This past spring, they added a young high school senior named Zach who, I'm sure they anticipated would treat his job as just a paycheck. But, lucky for them, Zach turned out to be the pot of gold they had dreamed about; as Zach proved to be the 21st century 'upgrade' they didn't even know they needed! Soon, social media had last-minute dinner and snack ideas and, ALWAYS waiting behind the register to ring those goodies up was the most POLITE, CARING and FRIENDLY 18 YEAR OLD who, treated the store and it's customers as if it were his own. To see Zach and the owners work together was like watching a grandpa teach his grandson 'the ropes' of life; and, you couldn't help but smile☺️.
Sadly, store break-ins and shoplifting came with the territory and, each time it happened, the owners would 'sweep up' and begin again. The deep lines of long hours and untold stress were clearly visible on the owner's faces but, never once have they asked for help. Instead, on the counter, they ALWAYS had a community donation jar and encouraged others to remember the less fortunate. Always leery of evening hours (and the subsequent crime it brings) they tried to protect staff by taking those more vulnerable shifts themselves, even if it meant working 13 hour days. Unfortunately, these are not 'normal' times in our beloved city and, sadly, they experienced something NO ONE ever thought would happen - an ARMED daytime robbery. By default, that meant Zach was working that shift; and, just like a grandpa would be concerned for his grandson, the owners are beyond devastated that Zach had to experience such a traumatic event. At 18, many would assume Zach would not want to return to the place where nightmares came true AND, that his parents would insist on him not returning. But, true to the character of Minneapolis residents (and the owners who have never turned their back on our neighborhood), Zach isn't running away from this community; and, instead, just like his 'grandpas' have shown him over the years, is rolling up his sleeves and getting right back to work!
In fact, through all of this, he and his family have only one concern right now; and that is, that the owners don't suffer any more loses than they already have.
So, I am hoping our community can show these WONDERFUL owners how much we VALUE their unwavering commitment to our city by donating to help build a MUCH NEEDED emergency fund for them, that will ensure they can weather whatever challenges are still to come.
And, even though Zach's only concern is for his 'grandpas'❤️, I would also like to raise some money for him; as a way of showing him we recognize what a SPECIAL young man he is. That way, if he ever needs to take time off to process what has happened, there will be money there to help (especially knowing he was taking a gap year to try and save money to attend college). Small businesses are what make our community so SPECIAL and, I'm hoping this campaign will show Bryn Mawr Market’s owners and staff just how much their commitment and efforts are worth in the eyes of the neighbors, who've come to depend on them to remind us that bigger isn't always best.
Sadly, store break-ins and shoplifting came with the territory and, each time it happened, the owners would 'sweep up' and begin again. The deep lines of long hours and untold stress were clearly visible on the owner's faces but, never once have they asked for help. Instead, on the counter, they ALWAYS had a community donation jar and encouraged others to remember the less fortunate. Always leery of evening hours (and the subsequent crime it brings) they tried to protect staff by taking those more vulnerable shifts themselves, even if it meant working 13 hour days. Unfortunately, these are not 'normal' times in our beloved city and, sadly, they experienced something NO ONE ever thought would happen - an ARMED daytime robbery. By default, that meant Zach was working that shift; and, just like a grandpa would be concerned for his grandson, the owners are beyond devastated that Zach had to experience such a traumatic event. At 18, many would assume Zach would not want to return to the place where nightmares came true AND, that his parents would insist on him not returning. But, true to the character of Minneapolis residents (and the owners who have never turned their back on our neighborhood), Zach isn't running away from this community; and, instead, just like his 'grandpas' have shown him over the years, is rolling up his sleeves and getting right back to work!
In fact, through all of this, he and his family have only one concern right now; and that is, that the owners don't suffer any more loses than they already have.
So, I am hoping our community can show these WONDERFUL owners how much we VALUE their unwavering commitment to our city by donating to help build a MUCH NEEDED emergency fund for them, that will ensure they can weather whatever challenges are still to come.
And, even though Zach's only concern is for his 'grandpas'❤️, I would also like to raise some money for him; as a way of showing him we recognize what a SPECIAL young man he is. That way, if he ever needs to take time off to process what has happened, there will be money there to help (especially knowing he was taking a gap year to try and save money to attend college). Small businesses are what make our community so SPECIAL and, I'm hoping this campaign will show Bryn Mawr Market’s owners and staff just how much their commitment and efforts are worth in the eyes of the neighbors, who've come to depend on them to remind us that bigger isn't always best.
Organizer
Dena McDonald
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
