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Member
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SC
Posts: 253
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SC
Posts: 253
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Feel good story of the day: Woman who walked to work for 10 years gifted a 4runner
Local News: A vehicle of her very own (4/5/17) | Shelbyville Times-Gazette
Quote:
Mary Entsminger, a Shelbyville Goodwill employee, received this Toyota 4Runner Tuesday through the organization’s Wheels-to-Work program. A Nashville resident donated the vehicle.
Submitted photo
For Mary Entsminger, roaming dogs were the worst part of her daily mile-long walk to work and home, worse even than the pouring rain, ice or snow -- all of which she has braved in the nearly 10 years since she began working at the Goodwill store in Shelbyville. But nothing, not even dogs, keeps her from her job.
"One day, when it snowed, Mary arrived to work an hour and a half early to ensure she made it," Goodwill retail district supervisor Vicki Spurlin said. "She has a great attendance record. She is also very dedicated and really cares about what goes on in her store."
Lifelong battle
Entsminger, who is originally from Richmond, Virginia, was born prematurely and has struggled with a learning disability her entire life.
When Entsminger was a child, her older sister worked at a department store. Entsminger had seen in advertisements that Goodwill helped people with disabilities learn to work in its stores. She decided that she would one day work for Goodwill.
But it wasn't until 2007 -- after her family had moved to Tennessee-- that she got her chance. Entsminger was struggling to find work and went to Goodwill Career Solutions for assistance. She was assigned a job coach to train her to work as a donations processor in the Shelbyville Goodwill store.
"Even as a little girl, I knew Goodwill was for all kinds of people," she said. "It took a long time for me to get here, but I did it. Goodwill gave me a chance. I like working here."
Entsminger says she used to have a lot of anxiety about talking to people. But since starting to work at Goodwill, she has gained confidence and learned to more comfortably interact with co-workers, donors and customers.
Her own ride
On Tuesday, Goodwill gave Entsminger yet another opportunity to improve her life.
At a special ceremony at Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee headquarters in downtown Nashville, Senior Director of Marketing Karl Houston presented Mary with a pre-owned Toyota 4Runner in good running condition through Goodwill's Wheels-to-Work program. The vehicle was donated to Goodwill by a Nashville woman.
The Wheels-to-Work program helps Goodwill employees and clients who need reliable transportation to get to work. To qualify, participants must meet certain qualifications, such as being employed at least 32 hours per week and having a valid driver's license and good driving record.
After being notified of acceptance into the program, participants must complete training classes on budgeting, defensive driving and car maintenance.
Exciting moment
Entsminger said when her supervisors first let her know that she would be receiving a donated vehicle, she began yelling and jumping up and down in the Shelbyville store.
"It was like I won the lottery," she said.
On Tuesday, Entsminger said she was grateful to Goodwill and its donors.
"I am so excited I could barely sleep last night," she said. "This will make a big difference in my life. No more walking to work in the rain, and no more worrying about dogs."
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What a thoughtful gesture. That 3rd gen should keep her on the road for a long time
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