By Breven Honda

February is a time of the year to show love, highlighted by Valentine’s Day. However, love is not only directed to a significant other, but to those around you.

The employees at Ken Garff Mesquite Ford did just that the day after Feb. 14 by making the three-mile trip to the Mesquite Senior Center, showing care and love to the elderly residents.

Despite only planning this for a week, receptionist Nancy Tabbert as well as five associates were able to have a good time.

“We had a lot of fun,” Tabbert said. “Ken Garff family believes in giving back to the community and I was challenged with finding a local community support place. So, I suggested the Senior Center.

“They just loved it. It was so much fun. I love interacting with them.”

In addition to having a good time, they served lunch and dessert, including cupcakes and ice cream with chocolate drizzle.    

Not only did Tabbert have a good time, but also each of the five associates who attended.

“They all came to me and thanked me for putting it together because we really enjoyed our interaction with them,” she said.

More Ken Garff Mesquite Ford employees wanted to attend but were unable to do so.

That shows how committed the workforce values Ken Garff Ford has to the volunteer aspect of their work.

“We have a wonderful staff of employees here that are willing to give back,” Tabbert said. “We did a project back in October that was great. We worked in Logandale with their food pantry and we had so much fun with that one  too. This company recognizes that there’s needs in the community.”

In addition to having a “fabulous” time with the seniors, the car company also made a $2,000 donation to the Mesquite Senior Center.

Tabbert said this monetary donation will cover costs or expenses that do not come under the senior center’s grant money that they receive.

“The senior center does not shy away from if a homeless person comes in and needs a meal and just can’t afford it,” Tabbert said. “Their grant doesn’t cover that money. $2,000 will help defray that cost as well as any other needs that they have. It’s a real pleasure.”

The giving back attitude also gives back a positive response to car customers in and around Mesquite. 

Tabbert said the seniors who enjoyed their time with the Ken Garff Ford employees did not expect the hospitality and charitable work.

“I made sure that a lot of our seniors knew that we came from Ken Garff Ford, and they were just so shocked that we would send people out to do that,” Tabbert said. “I think it was a wonderful way of demonstrating that we do give back to the community and I don’t think our seniors knew that. I believe the senior center is one of those that is an unsung entity in our community, especially in a community that has demographics of primarily seniors.”

Ken Garff Ford has quarterly events throughout the year, like these, for the employees to give back to the community. The next event is expected to take place sometime between April and June.