PARKERSBURG - As many people celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday, an Ohio woman was thankful on a more personal level for the assistance and dedication of one person on the holiday.
Lindsay Jessee, of Mansfield, said she was in Marietta on Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving at her father's home. As she began her trip home, she experienced problems with her car when a tie rod broke.
By the time, they figured out what the problem was it was 6 p.m. Thursday, Jessee said. She and her family tried contacting auto parts stores in Marietta and Parkersburg, but only found one open it and was about to close.
Article Photos
Kristi Day, parts specialist with O’Reilly’s Auto Parts on Division Street in south Parkersburg, went beyond her duties on Thanksgiving Day to help an Ohio woman experiencing mechanical difficulties. (Photo by Wayne Towner)
Jessee said she spoke with employee Kristi Day at the O'Reilly Auto Parts store on Division Street in south Parkersburg. Jessee said she had to get back to Mansfield to pick up one of her nieces and needed help.
She said Day told her she had to close the shop but would buy the tie rod and wait for her to come and pick it up. About a half-hour later, Jessee was able to meet Day, get the part and eventually get back on the road.
Jessee thought Day deserved recognition for her efforts and assistance.
"For someone to go out of their way that way, you don't see that much anymore," Jessee said.
Day, who is a parts specialist at the Division Street location, said the store was about one minute away from closing when she got Jessee's call. After learning she had three children with her and needed to be in Mansfield on Friday morning, Day agreed to buy the part and wait in the parking lot for her. When Jessee arrived, Day said she received a hug and thanks. Jessee paid her back for the part and was able to get back on the road later.
Day said she didn't consider the situation a problem or anything special. She just hopes someone would do something for one of her own sisters or anyone else in need in the same situation. She also believes O'Reilly's is a great company to work for because of its customer service and the employees know that.
