NEWS > BUSINESS >EX-GM EMPLOYEES START FUND FOR DISGRACED EX-EXECUTIVE

EX-GM EMPLOYEES START FUND FOR DISGRACED EX-EXECUTIVE

July 17 2008

Flint, MI – In what was once the heart of U.S. industry, unemployment stories have become old news. Plant closings, outsourcing, and slowdowns in the economy have all contributed to the decline of this once vibrant economic engine.

The abstract, the pure numbers, have always taken precedence in the news over the personal stories. Stories of people struggling to meet mortgage payments, taking on low paying jobs just to make ends meet, evictions, these are the real stories of the economic downturn in this once booming area. The people who live these tragedies, though, are well aware of the reality. For them the abstract is irrelevant, they are the ones who have to live these realities.

It is in these realities though, that the beauty of humanity can break through; a bonding together in tragedy to bring about a small triumph. That is the story in Flint today, a story of true human compassion.
Sara Grimsby worked for Ford for nine years, a prodigy of sort; her grandfather worked the lines, her father the same. It was with great pride that she followed in the family tradition. Those nine years of service came to an abrupt halt late last month though when she was downsized.

“At first I was surprised, even though I half expected it,” she said. “It’s a way of life now. You expect to be downsized eventually, but it’s still a shock when it actually happens to you.”

The abrupt end to her family’s legacy has got the 35 year mother of two down. The next day she was on the hunt for a new job and landed on a few weeks later at a local McDonald’s. While one might think her angry at being ousted from a high paying manufacturing job to a minimum wage Mcjob, Grimsby is far from being bitter. Instead she has begun a special project.

“Last year, one of the execs was fired for ‘personality conflicts’ and was forced to get another job. I felt bad for him at the time. Recently I found out that he’s working a lower paying job so I decided to do what I could for him.”

Grimsby, along with five other former coworkers who had equally been downsized, started up a collection and charity fund for the former executive. With donations being taken a local bank and a food drive on the way, the goal is to raise as much money and awareness to the cause as possible.

“The way we see it, he’s in exactly the same situation we’re in. It’s our duty to help out others if we can. I’m sure if he could he would do the exact same thing for us.”

The former executive is now a vice president of marketing for Minute Maid. We reached him for comment on the fund, he told us “Oh, hey that’s cool. Tell them thanks.”

Grimsby was honoured by the acknowledgement. “You see, you do little things for others and fate rewards you. If got my fingers crossed that that karma will help me get this second job I’m interviewing for tomorrow.”

William Ashford, Business Correspondent

NEWS > BUSINESS >EX-GM EMPLOYEES START FUND FOR DISGRACED EX-EXECUTIVE

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