MANSFIELD, Ohio — Many customers of Coney Island Diner at 98 N. Main St. were pleasantly surprised Thursday when they realized their bills were covered–courtesy of STARTEK.
This random act of kindness is part of an initiative that STARTEK began in May. “It is an idea STARTEK had kicked around for a little bit. We knew that we needed to give back to the community and were trying to think of new ways to do that,” said Jeannine Lemus, community relations specialist at STARTEK.
To help put the plan in motion, Lemus contacted several local businesses, asking them if they would be interested in participating. Interested businesses were given cards that are to be distributed to the customers. When the customers go to pay their bill, they’re given one of the cards and told that their check is on STARTEK, Lemus said.
“We have a community in need. More often than not we hear all the negative things that are going on in Richland County. The only way to change the attitude and prosperity of a community is to do something about it. This is our way of doing that,” Lemus said.
She continued, “When we did this at the [Richland] Carrousel [Park] last month, they sent us a card that all the people affected had signed. A little girl on her fifth birthday got a couple more rides than she had expected. A son was trying to do something nice for his mother, and we were able to help with that. We got to give a grandmother and mother from Nebraska who came to visit family free rides.”
Cathy Smith, co-owner of Coney Island Diner with her husband Jim Smith, noticed the positive effect that this act of kindness had on her customers. She said it helped brighten one man’s day, who shared that he had a rough morning. Another customer, she said, was pleased by this act of generosity, having not experienced anything like that before.
“I think this was a great idea,” Cathy said. “It’s a good community act.” One which she believes can spark other acts of kindness.
And that’s exactly what STARTEK hopes will happen as a result of this initiative. “We hope that this will inspire those who were touched to go out and do the same–buy the next person in line that cup of coffee, pick up the tab for the table next to you or spread caring feelings in their own way. Pay it forward, if you will,” Lemus said.
She added that STARTEK hopes to continue making a difference in the community, noting, “We want to eventually begin putting money into the local schools, to the students in need, the ones that need supplies or clothes, a tutor or a mentor. We want to make a difference in as many ways and in as many peoples’ lives as we can from all different backgrounds. The only way that we can succeed as a company is if we have a thriving community.”
“We hope that this will inspire those who were touched to go out and do the same–buy the next person in line that cup of coffee, pick up the tab for the table next to you or spread caring feelings in their own way,” said Jeannine Lemus.
