November 26, 2009

Shannon Graf loves his job, sacking groceries at Dillons.

The Dillons job, along with Starkey, allows Shannon and others to do something many of them never dreamed would happen. On Starkey property, the 37-year-old lives in his own apartment. He fixes his own meals and gets ready for work on his own. A Starkey volunteer takes him to work.

Working at Dillons allows people like Shannon to pay rent, be a responsible adult. To their families it's much more. "I've said for years they are like saints", said Shannon's mother Gail Graf. "They look out for him, I can't be with him 24 hours a day and Starkey and Dillons pick up the slack for me".

Dillons has worked with Starkey for years to provide employment for people with special needs. At any given time, there are dozens on the Dillons payroll. "Alot of our associates with special needs are wonderful with our customers and our customers love that special time & come back to our stores more often to see individuals like Shannon", said Dillons spokesperson Sheila Lowrie.

You won't see employees, like Shannon, complaining about their work. They are too busy being grateful.