Karen Freeman, Battlefield Store Manager in Battlefield, Mo.
Every girl dreams of prom as a magical evening spent dancing with Prince Charming in the perfect dress. For some, the headache lies in hunting down the perfect dress on a budget. With a little help from Goodwill, fairy godmothers like Karen Freeman, Battlefield Store Manager, are able to grant wishes with events like the Prom Dress Drive.
Karen Freeman applied to be an Assistant Manager at the North Springfield Goodwill store in 2006. To her, it was just like applying for any other job. Four years and a promotion to Store Manager at the Battlefield location later, however, Karen’s generosity and selflessness have made her a local hero. “I love my job, I love the atmosphere, and I have great employees,” says Karen, who does not consider her daily work a “job.”
“Karen is the kind of employee that every company hopes and strives to obtain,” said Dr. Lewis Chartock, CEO and President of MERS/Goodwill. “Karen is more than an employee. She is a teacher, trainer and life coach for many around her. Customers come into the store because she has built a lasting relationship with many of them.”
At the Battlefield Goodwill Store, Karen sets a positive example for her employees and reaches out to help them achieve more. “My role is to teach my team how to use good customer service skills,” says Karen. “I have to be a good manager and good employer, and teach my employees to do the same thing.”
With the help of her team and fairy godmother-like tendencies, Karen aided many high school junior and senior ladies in finding the perfect gown at the Battlefield Mall Prom Dress Drive. Goodwill collected gently used prom dresses during a successful drive at Battlefield Mall in April 2010 and resold them in the store.
“It was our first year and I think it benefited a lot of people who weren’t fortunate enough to spend a lot of money on a new dress,” says Karen. “They were able to come here and find one for $20 that was just as beautiful as a new one.” Goodwill received numerous dresses, which helped make many ladies’ dreams come true.
“There was one girl who thought she won the lottery with her dress,” recalls Karen. “It was gorgeous.” Instances like this keep her going, and to those around her, Karen’s magic never seems to fade. “It’s not a typical job where I wait for the day to be over,” says Karen. “I know that if I’ve done my best, I pass that on to my fellow employees. If they see I’ve given it my all, they’ll give it their all. I set a good example for my employees, and I enjoy coming into work and making it a happy and safe place.”
It’s heroes like Karen that create a better community environment for others. Karen’s magic is echoed by those who encounter her daily and on special occasions in the community she loves so much.
