Heartfelt thank you comes in the shape of a pizza pie - The Mountaineer

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Question: Who doesn’t like pizza?

Better yet, who thought to use a fun food holiday to help out the hundreds of volunteers working at the massive ongoing COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Smoky Mountain Events Center?

Answer: Waynesville’s State Farm Insurance.

More specifically, Chad McMahon, State Farm agent/owner.

“The idea to take food started when we realized Feb. 9 was National Pizza Day,” said Hope Surrett, a licensed agent at the Lee Street office. “Chad asked where in our community could we provide pizza to celebrate the day to give back.”

When Surrett was charged with the assignment, she said she took a few moments to consider what was going on in the community.

“I talked with my husband, who got me to Garron Bradish (interim health director for Haywood County), since we were about to have a massive vaccination clinic scheduled for Haywood County,” Surrett said. “Garron then directed me to Zach Koontz with Haywood County EMS.”

Once Surrett worked out the logistics with Koontz, it was game on — or, more appropriately, pepperoni on.

Next up was to find a pizza place to partner with.

For that, Surrett said she contacted Crystal Hansen, who owns Angelo’s Family Pizza & Pasta, and the restaurant was happy to supply the food and join in the effort.

In all, 50 pizzas made of pepperoni and cheese and cheese-only were delivered to the Smoky Mountain Events Center. The delivery helped feed over 100 volunteers and staff.

When the pizzas arrived, Surrett said the volunteers’ eyes got very big when the back of their car opened up to reveal stacks and stacks of steaming square boxes.

“They were all so excited to get Angelo’s and as they came over they thanked all of us personally for bringing them a delicious pizza lunch. There were even a few that had never had Angelo’s and couldn’t wait to try it,” Surrett said.

Because the lunch happened close to Valentine’s Day, Surrett said her office made up treat bags filled with Hershey’s kisses to top off the pizza with a little chocolate.

“We were glad we could support a local business, and were honored to get the opportunity to thank the staff and volunteers of Haywood County that helps keep our community safe. Everyone at Chad’s office lives in Haywood county and absolutely loves being able to give back any time we can,” Surrett said.

For anyone interested in donating breakfast or lunch to the volunteers manning the COVID-19 vaccine clinic, email Allison.Richmond@haywoodcountync.gov. Donations should be enough to feed at least 90 people.

The Link Lonk


February 25, 2021 at 02:56AM
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Heartfelt thank you comes in the shape of a pizza pie - The Mountaineer

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