On the last day of work, coworkers surprise retiree Amelia Battles from Little Rock, Arkansas with a car. Battles spent over 40 years at the Baptist Health cath lab in Little Rock, showing dedication and commitment despite facing financial struggles at home. To show their appreciation for her hard work and sacrifices, her coworkers came together and pooled their funds to purchase a car for her, which they presented on her final day of employment.
Expressing her joy and relief, Battles shared how she used to rely on the municipal bus, rides from coworkers, and even walking to get to work. With her new car, she now has the freedom to go wherever she pleases without any limitations. Battles stated, "I can go and come do what I want to do. If I want to sleep in bed or say, 'Ok I need to run to Target or Walmart,' I can just hop in my car."
The leadership team at the cath lab highlighted Battles's exceptional character and kindness throughout her career, emphasizing that the gift was a token of their love and appreciation for her. Sarah Wright, the supervisor at Baptist Health cath lab, mentioned, "It was something that we wanted to do as an act of love and to show her that we love her care for her and we wanted to continue taking care of her."
Colleagues of Battles noted her consistent generosity towards others, and they saw this opportunity as a way to give back to someone who had always been there for them. Grateful for the chance to drive herself into retirement, Battles shared her excitement, saying, "It's been seven years since I drove a car, this feels great." The heartfelt gesture from her coworkers truly made her transition into retirement even more special.