The spirit of the holiday season is about more than presents, food and family. The holidays are also a time when we help those who are less fortunate than us. This time of year can be an especially difficult time for families with low incomes or those reeling from a sudden turn in their fortunes. When the holiday spirit moves you to help, it can pay to listen.
Mr. Transmission/Milex franchisee Ronnie Weiss has been doing exactly that for more than 25 years. Ronnie has become a fixture in the Houston community not just for his automotive expertise, but for his generous spirit toward his neighbors. He recently assisted a local horse trainer with transmission repairs on her car after health and financial difficulties left her unable to work and pay for the service. We caught up with him to find out what made giving back to others this time of year so important.
Ronnie has been in the transmission business for 30 years, and during that time, he has learned about more than just cars. Some car repairs can be expensive and add to the financial stress of an already costly holiday season. This is magnified even more for some families who struggle with money to make ends meet. That’s why for the past 25 years, Ronnie has identified several deserving families each year and offered them free transmission repairs during the holiday season.
Sometimes families are initially caught off-guard by Ronnie’s offer, but they are always very appreciative. “I guess it’s not very common to just help people, so they seem pretty shocked when I offer to give them their service for free.” He just feels that it is the right thing to do. A working car is a necessity for most families, and what Ronnie gains from their gratitude more than makes up for the cost of the work he’s done.
“It’s so gratifying to know you’ve helped someone,” Ronnie said, recalling a family he helped last year. “That genuine appreciation in their faces makes it all worth it.”
Ronnie said one of his favorite quotes is from Zig Ziglar – “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” Ronnie’s giving spirit comes from the idea that if we all just helped each other out, no one would want for anything.
Ronnie’s generosity is just one example of some of the things our franchisees do to assist others in need. One small act of kindness can have a major impact on helping others during this season of giving.
From all of us Moran Family of Brands, happy holidays!