“Henceforth; it is with great dignity and pride that Wawa officially marks November 5, 2009 as Harriet Pearson Day!” 
This was part of the proclamation read last week during a very special 90th birthday celebration for one of our most beloved associates, Harriet Pearson, at her store in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. To mark this special day and thank Harriet for all the joy and happiness she brings to her store associates and customers each and every day, we held an exciting in-store celebration in Harriet’s honor, attended by all the customers and associates who love Harriet so dearly.
As I’ve said in previous entries, I’m a big believer in staying young at heart, and believe this mindset promotes an open mind, and leads to change, creativity and innovation. No one epitomizes this more than Harriet! Harriet is one of those rare individuals who makes a difference in every life she touches. She joined her Cinnaminson team in 1996 at the spry age of 78 and for over a decade has made all the people who enter her store feel like family. Five days a week, Harriet prepares the morning breakfast sandwiches, stuffs pretzels, and restocks sandwiches. And five days a week she greets almost every customer by name and with a hug!
According to Harriet, “Hugs don't cost anything - they're free! And they make a world of difference.”
It’s hard to put into words what Harriet means to both the customers and associates at her Cinnaminson store, but you could see at the celebration how lucky everyone felt to know her. Customers flooded the store to celebrate her special day, and lined up to give her flowers, gifts, and, of course, hugs.
One customer put it best when he said, “Harriet is an everyday hero. Celebrities and sports heroes get a lot of press - but Harriet is a regular person who makes a huge difference in people's lives.”
Harriet, you are truly our hero. People like Harriet are very rare, and it always amazes me how many exceptional individuals we have right here at Wawa. Our associates are truly the reason our customers can’t start their day without their daily stop to Wawa. It’s not just the products and convenience we provide, but the associates behind the counters who build life-long relationships with our customers. So here’s to Harriet, our 90-years-young associate. Happy Birthday and here’s to many, many more.
‘Til next time.
View coverage of Harriet Pearson’s Birthday Celebration at;
http://www.kyw1060.com/In-South-Jersey--a-Wawa-Worker-Proves-It-s-Not-Abo/5608392