Spread holiday happiness to Gabriel

This account was created for Gabriel who isn't a family member or even close friend. In fact, the few things I do know are that he is a janitor for the building my office is located in, every morning I am greeted with his contagious and light hearted personality, and that Gabriel LOVES HIS JOB! Gabriel knows each any every person who works in our 10 story office building and never once forgets to greet you by name. The few phrases he has spoken in English are super genuine and personal. Gabriel keeps our building impeccable during the time he is here. He never hesitates to open the doors for anyone walking through the door and he is always excited about life! He is so excited about what he does, that he spreads happiness throughout the building. He may not even know this but small talk arises anytime anyone is touched by his positive energy.

Today as I was going about my normal work day I was asked to translate for someone who needed assistance. I paused the task I was working on and walked over to our front lobby. Before me stood Gabriel with a distraught look on his face and I couldn't help but immediately feel his troubled energy. As we walked out into the hallway he was explaining the he desperately needed me to translate for a conversation that he needed to have with his supervisor because he wasn't able to call her and explain his emergency over the phone. He told me that his wife's vehicle had been stolen this morning and he wasn't able to call in because he didn't speak enough English. In his hand was documentation of the police report to show that he had been out all morning trying to gather proof of insurance and vehicle registration in order to recover his families vehicle.

As we reached his supervisors office, Gabriel was sure that not being able to explain to his boss would lead to him losing his job. He expressed how incredibly nervous he was to lose his job because he and his family depend on his income and he truly loved being here. I apprehensively assured him that he would not lose his job and that everything would be okay. Although in the back of my mind I was ready to fight for his job even if it didn't pertain to me. My only thought was that we cannot lose Gabriel because he is so incredibly amazing! Our building would be empty without him, my mornings would be dull without his greeting, and I knew that no one else would love his job as much as he did.

We finally approached his supervisor and explained his situation. She was amazing and so concerned with his and his families well being that she let him know that he was able to take the rest of the day off to take care of his family situation. The relief on Gabriel's face truly touched my heart. He thanked me for about 5 minutes straight and told me that I may have been the reason he still had his job. Even though I knew that wasn't the case, it was then I knew I had to share his story.

We all get so caught up in our daily lives and comfortable with the many blessings around us that we forget just how blessed we really are. We tend to become unappreciative of our families, friends, and careers. For most of us, janitorial work is an undesired trade but for Gabriel his employment is his happiness which he so willing spreads.

I ask that you consider a donation, none of which is too small, to Gabriel and his family. I would like to share with him some happiness this holiday season to show the appreciation I have for his efforts and positive attitude. I would like his family to know that he is valued and very much an asset.