Dec. 13, 2000--
It's not uncommon this time of year for a company to have financial difficulties and start laying people off, just before Christmas.
But instead of acting like The Grinch, a company in Kanab is acting more like Santa Claus, for employees and the community.
News Specialist John Hollenhorst has the story.
Stampin' Up! is one of Kanab's biggest employers. It makes decorative rubber stamps. But a few weeks ago there were too many workers and not enough work.
SHELLI GARDNER/OWNER OF STAMPIN' UP!: "WHILE OUR STAMP SALES HAVE INCREASED, THEY'VE NOT INCREASED AS MUCH AS WE PROJECTED. SO WE HAVE EXCESS CAPACITY IN KANAB."
But instead of announcing layoffs, the owner passed the word: "Go forth and work. In the community." Stampin' Up workers fanned out. They volunteered at the hospital.
MIKE SINCLAIR/KANE COUNTY HOSPITAL: "WE'VE USED THEM IN THE BUSINESS OFFICE, WE'VE USED THEM IN THE KITCHEN."
They're making quilts for newborns and old folks.
Pitching in at the long-term care center.
Diana Lomahquahu: "WE HELP FEED SOME OF THEM DURING BREAKFAST AND LUNCHES." Susie Curley: "READ STORIES TO THEM."
Stampin' Up workers are working computers at the library. Building cabinets at the middle school. They are teacher's aides and office workers at the elementary school.
THOMAS LEE/PRINCIPAL, KANAB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: "MY GOODNESS, THEY'RE WONDERFUL."
A quarter of Stampin' Up's work force has been out doing volunteer work. And it's been going on for weeks.
"WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND HALF NOW."
And it's all on company time, on the Stampin' Up! payroll.
SHELLI GARDNER/OWNER OF STAMPIN' UP!: "EVERYBODY WANTS TO PUT IN A GREAT DAY, AND FEEL SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY GO HOME AT NIGHT. AND WE KNEW THAT WE NEEDED TO GIVE THEM PURPOSE."
THOMAS LEE/PRINCIPAL, KANAB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: "THEY COME IN HAPPY, THEY'RE WILLING TO WORK HERE. THEY LOVE EVERY SECOND OF IT."
It's costing the company thousands of dollars a week.
SHELLI GARDNER/OWNER OF STAMPIN' UP!: "BUT I THINK IN THE LONG-TERM THE VALUE HAS INCREASED. THE LOYALTY IS GOING TO BE GREATER. AND CERTAINLY THEY KNOW WE'RE COMMITTED TO THIS COMMUNITY AND TO THESE PEOPLE."
For the town of Kanab, a big people present, just in time for Christmas.
The company also has a distribution and sales center in the Salt Lake Valley, which has not been affected by the volunteer program.
