Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JUNE 2018 64 E very now and then, it's nice to push a little praise for someone in our industry that has done good work over the years, and helped enrich the lives of others. Keith Wagler has been a long time member of PSA, up in Kitchner, Ontario, and has worked as a repair technician for House of Friendship, a mission that works to strengthen people and communities in their area of Ontario. Keith has worked with House of Friendship since 1984, and has been a well-known and valued member of the community. He is preparing to retire at the end of June, and the following is a very well-placed tribute to Keith that was recently published in the Friendship News, the organization's newsletter. It says it better than we can…. For 34 years, Keith Wagler has been the friendly face of House of Friendship's Appliance Repair Program. Through this unique program (the only one of its kind in Canada), Keith has visited thousands of homes in Waterloo Region since 1984, helping families and individuals living on low income who would otherwise have no way to repair their broken appliances. "I know some people wouldn't be able to fix their appliances themselves, "said Keith. "Some of them would have to do without". There are thousands of Waterloo Region residents who are living on low incomes. When an appliance breaks down, they may have to choose between fixing an appliance or paying the rent. Thanks to the generous support of many donations, along with local funding, thousands of men and women have not been forced to make that choice. "If you live somewhere else, it's 100% your problem, " said Keith. "You would have to pay for it yourself." The impact of your support has made a difference in the lives of many, including a lady who sent the following letter… "Thanks for coming to repair my stove and dryer," she wrote. "I was getting depressed trying to keep up with things going wrong around here. It's nice to know that there are people and organizations who really help people in hard times." With fewer appliances able to be repaired and with program funding being discontinued, Keith will be putting away his tools at the end of June, grateful for having the chance to make a difference in the lives of the people he served. Problem-solving and troubleshooting are two of the great pleasures that Keith enjoyed as part of his job, as well as having the opportunity to get to know families and induviduals from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. As part of the program, Keith worked hard to provide the best service he could—with dignity, compassion and respect. He would do this in little ways, like making sure he covered his work boots whenever he entered a home, or by scheduling appoints on a priority basis—repairing refrigerators as soon as possible and making sure that stoves were working properly before the holiday season. This service-oriented response came from a compassionate heart, one that realizes that bad things can happen to good people; that poverty can affect us all. "Anyone could be in those circumstances," said Keith. "It could happen to anyone." Upon his retirement, Keith plans to continue to stay active in the community, including staying connected to Mennonite Disaster Service, a charitable organization that he has been involved with for many years. "I think as long as I have my health, I'd like to serve as long as I can," Keith commented. To Keith, we all say "well done", and we all wish you the best in your retirement. You have been a credit to our industry—we thank you. HONORING FAITHFUL SUPPORT AND SERVICE S E R V I C E D E P A R T M E N T RO Randy Carney- Executive Director- PSA

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