It was Mid-September, our busiest time of the year. It would have been a store manager’s worst nightmare if they lost even one employee. Paoli store manager, LaDonna Hawkins, lost two key employees within a matter of two weeks. They were both influential and long-time associates who carried a heavy load. We wish them both well, but the service platform we so proudly boast was broken.

Finding replacements who can do the job in these times is a burden for sure, as the learning curve is long. LaDonna knew without acting quickly she would be in trouble. She also knew that at Bender Lumber you are never alone as sister stores around you would be willing to help. She reached out to Managers Ed Craig, Melissa Hilkey, David Faith, and Jacob Kiste for help.

As these store managers asked for volunteers, five associates stepped up to ring the bell. Brad Cooper, John Wallace, Mike Mitchell, Robbie Hayes, and Bill Holler. Each driver traveled, sometimes over an hour, to work the day for the Paoli Store. These five represent what our Extra Mile award stands for and ensured that our Paoli store did not lose a delivery.

Two of our Extra Mile clubbers Bill Holler and Robbie Hayes are repeat recipients and considered “Road Warriors”, a distinguished and honored club of the highest degree.

“All for one and one for all”, that’s the way it is at Bender Lumber. When one is hurting, others pitch in to help. With these five associates and their unselfish managers who agreed to let them go for a day, there might be nothing we cannot accomplish. Congratulations on a job well done and another great testimony for our Extra Mile Club.