Guest guest Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 Publication Name: THE GAZETTE Publication Date: 04/28/2004 Headline: Family finds unexpected friends in Coralville Byline: Dave Rasdal Section: B Page: 1 Family finds unexpected friends in Coralville Dave Rasdal CORALVILLE … You find yourself half a continent away in a strange town, surrounded by strangers, hoping that your 3-year-old daughter's surgery will go fine and that someday she will be able to walk like other children. Weary from travel, you stroll into a restaurant, unaware that it will enhance your outlook on life. March 27 was that day for Kim Areias, 34, and her daughter, Amy, of Safety Harbor, Fla. They entered the Olive Garden Restaurant near the Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville for lunch while waiting for their room to be prepared at the adjacent Holiday Inn Express. They were joined by Kim's mother, Patti, and her husband, DeWitte. As these strangers from far away were seated in the restaurant, thoughts turned to Amy. Born with clubfoot, she had begun treatment at 9 days old. When her parents, Kim and Joe, weren't happy with results in Florida, they found Dr. Ignacio Ponseti, a world-renowned clubfoot expert at University Hospitals in Iowa City. Therapy alone hadn't worked. So Amy faced a month of surgeries to place each leg in a full cast, from upper thigh to big toe, to continue the process of turning her feet around so she could walk. " It was kind of sad being away, " Kim said by phone from Florida. " We have a big family here. " As the restaurant staff took food orders, Kim casually mentioned they'd be seeing them a lot in the next month as Amy had surgery. Before Kim knew it, Tami Pierson, the restaurant's general manager, was promising to take care of them. Kim smiled and thanked her. " We thought it was nice, " Kim said, " but in the back of my mind, I knew they were just being nice. People say things like that all the time and don't follow through. " But this was a promise Tami would keep. A seven-year veteran of the Olive Garden in Omaha, Neb., Des Moines and Coralville, she knew the meaning of " 100 percent service. " She had completed a 13-week training program that included time in Italy. Since opening two years ago, the Coralville restaurant has often reached out to others. Soon the Areias family was being spoiled by Tami; certified trainer Jean Haberl of West Branch; server , a University of Iowa law student from Dubuque; culinary manager Bisby of Cedar Rapids and others. The family received gift certificates, tickets to local events and food delivered to the motel room. It was all because of Amy. " Oh, my gosh, " Tami said. " This little girl has a personality. She is polite, she is outgoing, she is happy. She just radiates personality to everyone. " On Easter, Amy's fourth birthday, the staff threw her a party with cake, balloons and presents. It had to be her best birthday yet. Her mother was overwhelmed. " What they gave her, it was just wonderful, " Kim said. " I don't even have the words. " Kim had never experienced anything like this. After returning to Florida last week, her friends were astounded at the generosity shown by strangers in Iowa. Certainly Kim and Amy are eager to return in June when Amy's full leg casts are replaced by smaller ones. But they'll be just as excited to see the restaurant crew again. " It was like we had somewhere to go where we had friends, " Kim said. " When we went to the Olive Garden, it was like going to a friend's house for dinner. " Shelle Havelick Gazette Circulation ext 8820 shelle.havelick@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 Publication Name: THE GAZETTE Publication Date: 04/28/2004 Headline: Family finds unexpected friends in Coralville Byline: Dave Rasdal Section: B Page: 1 Family finds unexpected friends in Coralville Dave Rasdal CORALVILLE … You find yourself half a continent away in a strange town, surrounded by strangers, hoping that your 3-year-old daughter's surgery will go fine and that someday she will be able to walk like other children. Weary from travel, you stroll into a restaurant, unaware that it will enhance your outlook on life. March 27 was that day for Kim Areias, 34, and her daughter, Amy, of Safety Harbor, Fla. They entered the Olive Garden Restaurant near the Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville for lunch while waiting for their room to be prepared at the adjacent Holiday Inn Express. They were joined by Kim's mother, Patti, and her husband, DeWitte. As these strangers from far away were seated in the restaurant, thoughts turned to Amy. Born with clubfoot, she had begun treatment at 9 days old. When her parents, Kim and Joe, weren't happy with results in Florida, they found Dr. Ignacio Ponseti, a world-renowned clubfoot expert at University Hospitals in Iowa City. Therapy alone hadn't worked. So Amy faced a month of surgeries to place each leg in a full cast, from upper thigh to big toe, to continue the process of turning her feet around so she could walk. " It was kind of sad being away, " Kim said by phone from Florida. " We have a big family here. " As the restaurant staff took food orders, Kim casually mentioned they'd be seeing them a lot in the next month as Amy had surgery. Before Kim knew it, Tami Pierson, the restaurant's general manager, was promising to take care of them. Kim smiled and thanked her. " We thought it was nice, " Kim said, " but in the back of my mind, I knew they were just being nice. People say things like that all the time and don't follow through. " But this was a promise Tami would keep. A seven-year veteran of the Olive Garden in Omaha, Neb., Des Moines and Coralville, she knew the meaning of " 100 percent service. " She had completed a 13-week training program that included time in Italy. Since opening two years ago, the Coralville restaurant has often reached out to others. Soon the Areias family was being spoiled by Tami; certified trainer Jean Haberl of West Branch; server , a University of Iowa law student from Dubuque; culinary manager Bisby of Cedar Rapids and others. The family received gift certificates, tickets to local events and food delivered to the motel room. It was all because of Amy. " Oh, my gosh, " Tami said. " This little girl has a personality. She is polite, she is outgoing, she is happy. She just radiates personality to everyone. " On Easter, Amy's fourth birthday, the staff threw her a party with cake, balloons and presents. It had to be her best birthday yet. Her mother was overwhelmed. " What they gave her, it was just wonderful, " Kim said. " I don't even have the words. " Kim had never experienced anything like this. After returning to Florida last week, her friends were astounded at the generosity shown by strangers in Iowa. Certainly Kim and Amy are eager to return in June when Amy's full leg casts are replaced by smaller ones. But they'll be just as excited to see the restaurant crew again. " It was like we had somewhere to go where we had friends, " Kim said. " When we went to the Olive Garden, it was like going to a friend's house for dinner. " Shelle Havelick Gazette Circulation ext 8820 shelle.havelick@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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