Christmas came early this year for employees at Cronig’s Market and the Vineyard Haven Stop & Shop when an anonymous customer gave every employee in both stores a $100 bill.
Christmas came early this year for employees at Cronig’s Market and the Vineyard Haven Stop & Shop when an anonymous customer gave every employee in both stores a $100 bill on Christmas Eve.
Mike Johnson, manager of the Vineyard Haven Stop & Shop, and Norma Blidgen, a manager at Cronig’s, both received a call from a customer on Wednesday who said he wanted to thank their employees for their hard work throughout the pandemic. The customer said he wanted to remain anonymous and asked the managers how many people their store employs. He told the managers he would come by the next day to drop off a token of appreciation.
Letter from a grateful customer who wished to remain anonymous.
Letter from a grateful customer who wished to remain anonymous.
On Christmas Eve, the managers met the person outside their stores. Ms. Blidgen and Mr. Johnson said he handed them large envelopes with a letter and many smaller envelopes inside. “I thanked him and he said Merry Christmas to your staff and thank you for doing what you guys do,” Mr. Johnson said.
Mr. Johnson took the envelope upstairs to his office and called in two of his year-round shop stewards to tell them what had happened. Together they opened the envelope and read the letter.
“Dear Friend, You have braved Covid to keep stores clean and safe, and shelves stocked to meet our needs,” the letter reads. “Our family resides year-round in Tisbury, and we would not live here without the tireless and courageous efforts of essential service workers like you.”
In addition to the letter, there was a $100 bill for each employee at the store.
“The letter was just amazing. The letter itself brought people to tears,” Mr. Johnson said. “And then the $100 bill, I’ve never seen this in my career, none of my colleagues have either. It’s just above and beyond what anybody would expect.”
At Cronig’s, Ms. Blidgen said the entire store was moved by the anonymous customer’s kindness. “We really appreciate it, everyone does,” Ms. Blidgen said. “We are grateful and highly appreciate it.”
Mr. Johnson called his employees up to his office two at a time to read the letter and receive their gift.
“They all opened them up right there in the office and the reactions, some people cried, some people said the letter made them cry, some people said ‘you don’t know what this $100 means for me right now,’ it was just very emotional but happy,” Mr. Johnson said.
He said many of his employees wanted to know who went to these lengths to thank them so they could show thanks in return. But Mr. Johnson said the customer wished to remain anonymous and said there are other ways they could show their appreciation.
“We can thank him by keep doing what we’re doing, keep providing good customer service, keep the store clean and well-stocked. We’re just grateful that this happened,” Mr. Johnson said. “There is a Santa Claus.”
Comments
What an incredibly nice
fact checker edgWhat an incredibly nice gesture
Hats off to these essential
Dean Rosenthal EdgartownHats off to these essential works and to this grateful customer. Truly in the spirit of the season!
That’s so awesome
Janette Cape CodThat’s so awesome
God’s earth angel! Thank you
Laura Bryant German Vineyard HavenGod’s earth angel! Thank you for your amazing heart and kindness! Many blessings to you!
Santa really is alive and
Bob Dusa Oak BluffsSanta really is alive and well. God bless you...merry gentleman!
After months and months of
Sharon StrimlimgAfter months and months of such hard work, I’m so moved that these people are being appreciated so beautifully. What a letter!
This kind of kindness and honor is a gift to more than Cronigs right now. It feels like a much needed light of humanity right now.
So I send my gratitude as well, to all those working every day and to all who are tipping their hats, opening their hearts and showing up for them in gratitude and kindness. Thank you!
Awesome!
Molly Martone WTAwesome!
Great story! These are our
Tom EdgartownGreat story! These are our hero’s and frontline workers...
Very beautiful.
Martha MageeVery beautiful.
And so when we try to explain
David A. Jordan, DHA Oak Bluffs & WorcesterAnd so when we try to explain to friends what makes our little island of Martha’s Vineyard so special. Is it the wealthy and famous who make this place their sanctuary; or is it the natural beauty of the land meeting the ocean; or perhaps it’s the traditions of the island begun centuries ago by the Native Americans who settled this land ? I think perhaps it’s all of these reasons that makes our island just a little bit magical BUT there is one more reason I think - it’s what this island does to nurture and transforms our souls which evokes in us our higher angels. Where else on our little planet in space would someone unknown extend such a gesture of generosity , in keeping with the spirit of this season, to fellow Islanders toiling to meet their family bills. I think this act of unrequited empathy and goodwill is what makes our little island of Martha’s Vineyard so special. And if this one act of kindness can spread so much joy - let’s repeat other small acts of goodwill to friends and strangers alike every day throughout the year ahead. God Bless us Everyone.
Thank you, David, for
Susan Levine Vineyard Haven and New YorkThank you, David, for perfectly expressing how so many of us feel about our wonderful island. And I really like your suggestion of repeating this. I'm already thinking of ways I acn pass this thoughtful act of kindness on.
Nice story!
Fred MVNice story!
Wonderful story of kindness
Dolly campbell Vineyard HavenWonderful story of kindness. Thanks for publizing. ⭐️
Thank you, to the kind soul
James Kozak Vineyard HavenThank you, to the kind soul who is behind this gesture.
Clearly it was not from The Mitch McConnell Book of Covid Generosity.
This is so wonderful! The
Wolly AquinnahThis is so wonderful! The Vineyard is an amazing and special place for many many reasons. But there’s one caveat.. HOUSING. All of the wonderful workers and front liners are moving 2 or 3 times a year. Truth. They are seasonal renters trying to make this Island a year round home. The reason it’s worth such upheaval to many workers is exactly this type of Christmas gift, which is also fair treatment, appreciation, and respect, No matter what, where, or whom. But until there’s a more serious movement on affordable housing, it’s all just a fleeting glimmer of generosity. Let’s put heads together. Envelopes are brilliant.. but year round housing is essential for essential workers.
What an amazingly beautiful
Barbara Grollimund EdgartownWhat an amazingly beautiful gesture. So thankful and happy fit the employees who benefited from this very generous person.
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