When I came to work for Floyd Martin, he had a routine he wanted me to perform every year. It was something very important to him. The routine was this: My wife and I would take a day near Christmas each year and visit all the bosses at Boise Cascade Homes. We would personally deliver a calendar book Floyd had purchased with their names imprinted on it, along with a thank-you from F.V. Martin Trucking, and a frozen turkey to wish them a Merry Christmas.
Sheri and I would hand them out in person or leave them on the doorstep. It was fun, and we made a day of it. Floyd also insisted that we give a turkey certificate to all employees. He believed so strongly in this gesture that when I bought the company, he made me promise to continue it.
Over the years, we dropped the calendar book since everyone moved to internet calendars. Then Boise became hesitant to give out addresses for new people, so we couldn’t reach them. Eventually, most of the original bosses had been replaced, so we ended the deliveries altogether. But all our employees will still receive theirs.
I miss the personal meetings with all the bosses and the good old handshake. I guess that’s the new world we live in.
In your check-stub envelope, you will find a certificate for a turkey. Merry Christmas from Troy, Sheri, and Floyd Martin.
Troy