To Be Like Sam
If you are lucky, you meet people along the way that you admire. They have a certain quality, a special light, something about them that is so good that they inspire you to be a better person. You just know that when you see them, you can't help but smile.
One of the people that I admire most here in Hartsville is Sam Ingram. I met Sam when I worked at the Darlington County Disability and Special Needs Board back in 2001. He was working for the yard crew back in those days, and was in charge of cutting the grass at the Scott Center location on Damascus Church Road. He bounded over to my truck, the infamous late junky Sally Suburban, and extended his hand to me. "Hey there, I'm Sam! Pleased to meet ya!"
From that day on, Sam has never ceased to make me smile. He'd tell me when I needed an umbrella, told me about his dream of having a full time job, and about how people "just don't work hard". He eventually went on to work at Winn Dixie, riding his bicycle from his home in such good time that he was always early. He did his job so well that people would request him to bag their groceries. He was worried when Wal Mart opened, fearing it would hurt Winn Dixie. All the while, he shared his goal of getting a full time job one day, "One with forty hours a week and benefits, that's all I'm prayin' for."
Two years ago, his prayer was answered. Sam got his dream job, delivering furniture for Badcock Home Furnishing & More. I'll never forget how proud he was when he told me the good news! You've never seen anyone more proud. He stops me in town every so often to tell me tales of bringing orders to far-off customers, of the beautiful new furniture, and of every sale. Since the new building first broke ground, he has been looking forward to the grand opening.
Sam brought me over to meet Ruth Thomas, the new Executive Director of the Darlington County Disability and Special Needs Board. She told me how proud she is of "her baby", and posed for a photograph.
Sam's mother watched him, proudly, and agreed that Sam is "such a hard worker- he never slows down!"
Since I was at the ceremony at Sam's request, and wouldn't have ordinarily attended such an event, I didn't know what to expect. What happened is that I learned that the store's owner has a big heart: owner Joe Banasiewicz thanked the crowd at Badcock's, proudly acknowleged the compliments from the Badcock's corporate heads, and presented a large check for $1,000 to the Good Samaritan Community. (they are the folks that do that great BBQ Fundraiser at the new location just as they used to do at the old location on 5th Street) And, best of all, he hired my inspirational friend, Sam Ingram- proudest member of the Badcock Home Furnishing & More team in Hartsville for 2 full years.
If we were all like Sam, we'd be excited to go to work each day; we'd be proud of where we worked, get there early, and put in 100% effort. With a smile and a friendly wave, it's people like Sam that make life in Hartsville a little sweeter.
Why a hartsvilletoday.com?
Meet Sam and you never have to ask again.
Build your community by being involved!
Inspiration
This is the wonderful story that makes me glad to call Hartsville my home. What a great well written article.
Well Done
I cannot agree with Overly Blessed and Richard more....VERY WELL-DONE, JANA!
I hope more folks take a note of this, and see how great it is to be good to one another, and to never stop being amazed at the blessings REAL people can be in our lives!
The subject of this posting, and the author of it, are the REAL people that I mean!
A message from Sam:
Sam just stopped by my office on his way home from work to tell me that he got a copy of this article in the mail, laminated with magnets on the back.... I am assuming this is the work of the angels from a certain funeral home in Hartsville?
Bless you, you should have seen the smile on his face. This is why transplants from twelve years ago love this town like their own hometown.
Thanks.
UPDATE: Good News & a Prayer Request
Sam got his learner's permit to drive, and won't mind hearing some congratulations!
Unfortunately all those years of biking to work has taken it's toil on his right knee, however, so he just learned he needs to have surgery. Please join me in praying for a successful surgery and rehab on his knee, and that his dream of driving his own truck will come true!
As we all know from the miracle of Wil Mahn, the prayers of Hartsville citizens are strong.
Thank you in advance.
Congratulations to Sam
Wow, that is wonderful that Sam was able to get his learner's permit.
I'm sorry to hear about his knee, though. Does he have someone to help him with driving practice? You are supposed to log 40 hours of driving experience before you try for your license.
This article was one of the first that I read of yours, Jana. It is still my favorite.
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