Small
businesses show big hearts to new mom CAROL MCALICE
CURRIE Statesman
Journal February 27,
2004 Disgusted with the lack of
conscience displayed in corporate corruption trials these
days? Disappointed with companies hellbent on increasing their
outsourcing? Then this is the place to have your
faith in business restored. And there's no snake oil or Professor Marvel
involved, just a handful of Salem-area small businesses acting
admirably. Jamie Anderson, 22, has worked at Lazerquick in
West Salem for four years. She also has helped her boss, owner
Cory Graham, by filling in occasionally for Graham at regular
meetings of LeTip, a group of Mid-Valley small-business owners
who meet weekly to promote their wares and services among
each other. Anderson was eight months pregnant and eagerly
anticipating the birth of her child when she went to the
doctor a few weeks ago for a sore throat that wouldn't go
away, said co-worker Michelle Herr. Tests were run and a few
days before baby Ethan was born Feb. 18, Anderson
learned she had B-cell lymphoma. Doctors couldn't give her
much information because they could not perform all of
the necessary tests due to her pregnancy. They told
Anderson the cancer was in her tonsils and that as soon
as she delivered, they would run more tests and begin
chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Anderson tried to remain upbeat and optimistic,
Herr said. She couldn't know the extent of her cancer, but she
was excited about welcoming her son into the
world. She was ready for Ethan's arrival, but not the
outpouring of assistance from LeTip members. One — Graham chose not to name them
because she feared omitting someone — sent a limousine to
take Anderson to the hospital for her induction. Another,
a CPA, picked up her W-2s and household records, and is
filing her taxes for her. Other members collected
donations and scheduled a weekly housekeeping service. More
still arranged for meals to be brought in three times per week
and to have a baby sitter take care of Ethan while the
single-mother is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation
and the baby's father is unavailable. LeTip members
with landscaping and window-washing businesses are
donating their services as well. “We want her to get well and not to worry about
anything,” Graham said. She said Anderson is overwhelmed with the
generosity and compassion of the LeTip members, but Graham and
Herr said it’s typical of LeTip members to go out of their
way for others. Graham has belonged to LeTip for seven years, but
she said Anderson has only met some of the members a few
times. “She’s substituted for me when I’m on vacation,
and she’s met some of them when they come into the store, but
she doesn’t know them all, yet most have rallied to help her,"
Graham said. It’s a profitless side of business we don't hear
much about. They might be called small businesses, but maybe
big-hearted is a better fit.
For information, visit: www.letipofsalem.com. Carol McAlice
Currie can be reached at (503) 589-6905.
