CRISIS: Handled with great care

Wednesday morning, the day after the severe storm hit our community and left many people without power, I witnessed something absolutely awesome. My husband and I decided to have breakfast out at Coeur d’Alene IHOP. The parking lot was filled and there were waiting lines to be seated.

Nevertheless, we were seated within five minutes. What I witnessed while waiting for our order was astounding. I never in my life have seen such a coordinated team effort by all the staff to ensure each customer was taken care of in an expeditious manner. So many extra employees had been called in to help in this crisis situation. To see them working, in what otherwise would have been very chaotic, was like watching an orchestrated dance in perfect harmony.

The noise level was high, and the table next to us had babies and toddlers screaming and left a total mess. A waiter came to clean up and when he saw the floor he just smiled in disbelief as if to say, “Am I on Candid Camera?” We watched him sweep and clean up with a smile on his face the whole time. This team at Coeur d’Alene IHOP should be recognized for being so cool, calm and collected during this endeavor to help and serve those in need. By the way, my husband and family frequent Coeur d’Alene IHOP and this kind of commitment, service and attitudes are being performed on a daily basis.

A special thanks to a customer who paid for a homeless man’s breakfast and to another customer who paid for that man’s next five meals in advance. Wonderful people in service to our wonderful community.

JoANN LOKKEN

Coeur d’Alene