Home Depot!

Months and months and months ago before we had even started construction I walked into Home Depot, saw a sign somewhere about social responsibility, found myself a store manager and confidently suggested that a very good example of social responsibility would be for Home Depot to contribute to our project.

Of course, Home Depot already has it all figured out and I was assured that they would be interested in participating but they have a busy schedule and would need us to get them the appropriate paperwork, schedule a revision meeting, get approval, etc..   I was also quickly informed that they didn’t have a large budget for donations but would be happy to give us their returned paint.

Cool.

4 months later, at 7am in the morning, 25 orange t-shirted and very eager Home Depot Team Members arrived in the Bodega at entreAmigos.   After a quick tour, and an american football style huddle and impressive company cheer they self propelled themselves into every task imaginable.  They painted and cleaned and gardened with an energy, great attitude and fervor that left us all open mouthed and very grateful. They donated more than $30,000pesos in rejected paint and apologized profusely that they couldn’t do more.

A few hours into the day the rest of the community joined them.  Several local women brought food and drinks to prepare for everyone, the kids came and we painted and painted and painted.   By 1:00 when the Home Depot team needed to return for their afternoon shift, the majority of the 13,000sq foot building had been finished on the inside.  The change was remarkable.

Wow.  simply wow.

and thank you Home Depot!