Communications Center

Police Officer Adopts a Little Girl He Helped Rescue

Lieutenant Brian Zach, a police officer in the Kingman Police Department of Arizona, has seen many cases of child abuse in his job – all heartbreaking. When responding to cases of abuse, Zach often spent time and developed a rapport with the kids he rescued. He was especially taken with Kaila, a four-year old who had been severely neglected and was only able to speak three words. His wife, Cierra, said that Zach was enamored when he came home from work that day and spoke of Kaila: “He shows up, he’s like, ‘I got to hang out with the cutest little girl. She was so awesome,” Cierra recalled. When Child Protective Services was unable to find a suitable home for Kaila, Zach and Cierra opted to become foster parents. The three grew close quickly. “She is so comical…so witty,” Zach said. “She’s just a character!” Kaila began to thrive in the school where Zach and Cierra enrolled her, and soon she was calling the pair “daddy and mommy.” Nearly three years after the couple first met Kaila, they officially adopted her! Although it was not always easy – Kaila was being treated for multiple injuries when they met and her only belongings were some clothes that did not fit and a sippy cup – Zach and Cierra are thrilled with their new family. They hope that others who learn of their story will be inspired to become foster parent as well.

Source: Good Morning America - https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/family/story/police-officer-adopts-girl-comforted-duty-74504353

Former Taco Bell Employee Who Was Robbed at Work Gives a Surprise Holiday Bonus to Current Taco Bell Employees

Nearly twenty years ago, Shan Dan Horan, 16, was closing up at the Taco Bell where he worked after school when he felt a gun to his head. Two burglars had cut the phone lines and had entered the restaurant wearing paintball masks and black gloves. One had ordered the other employees onsite to standby while the other demanded that Horan empty the restaurant safe. The intruders left the city with the cash and Horan emerged unscathed – at least physically. However, he still thinks about that harrowing incident and this year, 19 years after the incident, Horan decided he wanted to express his gratitude to the employees at a local Taco Bell. So he visited another Taco Bell in the same city where he was robbed and gave a $100 bill to each of the five employees who were working at the time. Horan, who now works in the music industry, said “I thought I would drop a different type of lettuce off to the employees at my neighborhood Taco Bell to thank them for feeding us all during this pandemic.”

Source: The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/12/17/former-taco-bell-worker-gives-employees-money/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist

Irish Couple Builds Affordable Houses for Their Employees

Patricia and Tony Walsh, owners of Walsh Colour Print and Educate.ie, often struggle to find qualified workers from their home country of Ireland. They often hire from Eastern European countries, but when new employees search for housing in County Kerry, they face limited availability and high prices. Two of their employees, Anna and Marcin, had emigrated from Poland and were facing that problem. So they brought the issue to Patricia and Tony. Mr. Walsh said that Anna and Marcin raised his awareness of the struggles his workers were experiencing. He became concerned, knowing that they would eventually retire with little savings if they were forced to rent for their entire lives. To make life easier for their employees and to lure new workers, the Walshes decided to build housing on land that their company already owned. The couple obtained permission to build 70 houses. Twenty of the houses will be reserved for employees and will be sold for €30,000 under market value. The Walshes intend to sell the other 50 at full value to offset the costs. Each house is 1000 square feet and highly energy efficient. To purchase one of the homes, the Walshes just ask for a 10 year commitment from the employee. All three houses that have been built so far have been sold, and the staff are delighted at the opportunity the Walshes have created for them. Patricia said that she hopes what they have done will inspire others across the country to take similar action. Anna and Marcin are now in the process of moving in with their two children just in time for the Christmas holiday. “It’s the best Christmas present ever,” Anna said. “The feeling now is that we are happy, just happy.”

Source: RTÉ News - https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2020/1209/1183468-castleisland-homes-company/