A Thanksgiving Note From Our Team

Thanksgiving always shows up right when things get busy. Stores are full, everyone is juggling a lot, and the days go by fast. It is a good time to pause and hear from the people who keep everything running.

We asked our team a simple question this year: What are you thankful for, and who made your year a little better?

Their answers tell the story better than anything we could write ourselves.

The Big Things That Matter Most

Family came up more than anything else – new babies, grandkids, and the people who show up for you at the end of the day.

At Lake Anna, Nikki Crum shared how grateful she is for her family and her little girl, Presley.
Emma Wood talked about her four children and four grandchildren, including a granddaughter who had a tough start but is doing great now.
In Madison, Judith McKay kept it simple: she is thankful “for God allowing me to live another day.”
In Crozet, Martha Wyant said her granddaughter Addie Mae, born in March, is the light of her life.

Faith was a steady theme, too.
Michael Freeman shared his thanks for his Savior and the family he has been blessed with.
Michele Lambertus said she is grateful for her Lord and Savior and her family – and yes, her Boxer pups made the list too.

Others were thankful for community itself – that feeling of being surrounded by people who care.
Diana Stalnaker said she is grateful for family, friends, and coworkers “who actually are friends.”

The Small Joys That Make Days Better

Alongside the big things were the little comforts that make long days go smoother:

• hot chocolate
• coffee
• gluten free pizza
• Reese’s Cups
• scratch tickets and candy from customers
• Finally getting the hang of Spruce (our ERP software)
• playful dogs
• bowling three nights a week

It is often the small things that help you get through the day.

Shout-Outs to the People Who Made a Difference

The shout-outs say a lot about our team.

At Lake Anna, Austin Haislip and Ray Collier came up right away. Whether it is opening the store so someone can take a needed day off or stepping in without complaint, their support did not go unnoticed. Nikki also thanked Austin and Ray for keeping her laughing through the year.

In Madison, Barry Tucker earned appreciation for his patience and willingness to help as coworkers learned new roles.

Michele Lambertus thanked the entire team for coming together to support the e-commerce project – a big effort that took everyone working in sync.

Crozet had a long list of gratitude:

• Shaam Wheeler was mentioned again and again for showing up wherever he is needed.
• Sarah Carpenter stood out for her steady support and friendship.
• Rhonda was thanked for being there in both work situations and personal ones.
• Annita Steppe, Steve Smith, and Andrew Harris were appreciated for helping others grow, learn, and get through busy days.
• The paint team, yard crew, and back-of-house team were all recognized for having each other’s backs.

In Staunton, Benji Ashley thanked Jeff Cale for always helping when someone needs it.

None of these moments are dramatic. They are the everyday things that add up to a workplace people actually want to be part of.

A Team We Are Proud to Work Beside

Put all of this together and it gives a clear picture of who our team is: people who are grateful for their families, their faith, their coworkers, and the small things that make work better. People who look out for one another without being asked.

We are proud to work with every one of them.

From all of us at Cardinal Home Center,
We wish you and your family a warm and restful Thanksgiving.