Mr. George Gold Coin Award: Amy Goad

The season may be changing, but one thing staying the same is the inspirational content found on The Publix Checkout. One of our favorite blogs to write is the Mr. George Gold Coin Award series. It gives us time to reflect, as individuals and as a company, on the amazing feats our associates accomplish. You may find it helpful to read about what the Gold Coin Award is and where it all began, and check out other stories. The Mr. George Gold Coin Award is given to associates who exceed their normal duties for our customers and fellow associates. This month we had the pleasure of speaking with Assistant Produce Manager Amy Goad from store #1409 in Florence, Alabama. Amy started working for Publix in 2015 and went above and beyond for a customer, who reached out to our team with her story.

The customer who emailed our customer care team told us that her best friend recently lost his granddaughter in a tragic accident. Since her passing, he has been purchasing apples from Publix to dehydrate and make apple chips. He sells the apple chips and donates the money to his granddaughter’s school library. Amy met him while he was shopping in the produce section and he told her his story. Amy recalled, “I was so touched by what he was doing for her that it brought me to tears.” When he walked away, Amy went to the back room to retrieve a whole case of apples. To help with his cause, she purchased the case and gave it to him as he checked out. Amy told us, “It made me realize that even through his grief, some people still look for good to do for others.” He was very touched by the gesture and has been telling his family and friends about how great the customer service at this store is, and how great the apples are.

When she’s not working, Amy is family-oriented and enjoys spending time with her children, kayaking on the river and cooking. “Mr. George built a company based off family values. From the investment Publix puts into its associates, customers and local communities, Publix allows me to interact with my extended family every day,” she told us. Amy loves the Publix culture and says, “I enjoy learning and developing my team. I want customers to leave and feel as if they’re our kings and queens and believe that shopping really was a pleasure in whichever store they were in.”

Since our customer care team received the letter about Amy’s story, members of our team chipped in to send the customer a few cases of apples as well. Kudos to Amy for truly going above and beyond and for inspiring other associates at Publix to help with this customer’s cause. We look forward to seeing what she brings to the table in the years to come.

Have you ever witnessed an associate truly going above and beyond at your local Publix? Share your story with us on Facebook, Twitter, via our Contact Us page, or give our customer care team a call at (800) 242-1227.