Melt-worthy.

By: Dave Boerger
Communications Strategist/Writer

V Teamers respond to winter storms with heartwarming acts of kindness.

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As winter storms pounded much of the United States this week, leaving many in homes without heat, electricity or potable water, V Teamers leapt into action. We are so proud of how so many have shown up during this difficult time.

Dynamic duo

With several employees without power or unable to make it into our locations, Daryl Chaney and Leo Williams, District Managers from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, spent the day in the field ensuring that our stores could open and be available for our customers. Additionally, since Leo's district is under a boil-water notice, he went to multiple grocery stores in search of bottled water so that employees would have water in their stores.

Helping the helpers

With roads impassable in Memphis, TN, many essential workers were unable to get to and from work. District Manager Michael Kleiner got up early and used his four-wheel-drive vehicle to transport healthcare workers to hospitals. After putting in a full day's work, he made his evening rounds to shuttle healthcare workers back home. Talk about running and driving to a crisis!

Mi casa es su casa

Down in Austin, TX, District Manager Amanda James had been without power since Sunday. When the temperature in her home dropped to 26 degrees Fahrenheit, she grew concerned for her newborn baby. With so many without power in Austin, hotels were all full. Solutions Specialist Damion Silveria volunteered to pick up Amanda and her newborn and bring them back to his home. He cooked them a full meal and gave them a warm place to shower and stay overnight.

Many meals on Kevin’s wheels

Solutions Manager Kevin Smith refused to let a Tulsa, OK, blizzard slow him down. While his store was closed for the day, he signed up to volunteer for “Meals on Wheels,” a nonprofit organization that serves food to seniors. Kevin loaded his truck and delivered 70 meals to seniors who wouldn't have been able to leave their homes due to road conditions. Kevin is genuinely grateful for the opportunity to serve and said it was "the best decision I've ever made."

A heartwarming delivery

Abir Kazzaz is a Network Engineer who recently moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She was in her home alone earlier this week when the storm and rolling blackouts caused the temperature in her house to plummet. She spent hours in her car until she ran out of gas, then went through all of her firewood. An email asking if anyone could help went out and many offered assistance, including Network Engineering and Operations Associate Director James Horton and his son. James drove their truck from over an hour away to deliver firewood and gas to Abir.

Thank you to all the heroes! It’s so great to see the V Team community coming together when help is needed. If you know of a V Teamer doing their part to help their local communities, tag us on social @vzuptospeed using #ACallforKindness or send it to good@verizon.com.

Thanks to Alexis Owens, Chief of Staff - South Central in the Consumer Group, for help collecting these stories.

About the author:

Dave Boerger is a part of the Verizon Corporate Communications team and a regular contributor to Up To Speed. He's a recovering marketer and sitcom writer.

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