The Sturgis Buzz has been pouring on informative posts about the big October blizzard and aftermath. Last night the Sturgis Buzz linked to a Facebook story from Theresa Lange about the north-side Rapid City Walmart's failure to play good neighbor in the storm:
...at our motel, we had no power, WiFi, TV, or radio as we had just come in from Denver. We were out of food and had no candles, so we drove to Walmart for provisions. Jenelle and I ended up fighting our way through the door. Once we were inside, the managers attitude towards us was horrible, there was no concern at all, rather they made sure we knew how much of a burden we were. We made the decision to leave and ride out the storm in our car, at least there we would have a little dignity.
...The plows finally made it. It took them over 2 hours to reach us. Once the parking lot was clear, we were heartbroken to realize that the road was still under over 2 feet of snow, so we were still stuck... in the parking lot. Jenelle noticed the red car and pointed out that there was someone inside it. It was about 9 am that we found the elderly woman in her car. I asked her if anyone knew she was even there. She told us that a Walmart worker had come the night before around 6 pm to tell her the store was closed and she couldn't come in. I asked if anyone had been by to check on her and they had not. I asked how she was keeping warm. She told us that she had very little gas, so she was starting her car for 5 minutes ever 2 hours to conserve. She did have a cell phone and kept it on the charger so she was talking to her son. She was sure he was on his way... [Theresa Lange, Facebook post, 2013.10.07].
I can understand the mentality that says if you have a valuable stash of merchandise, you might want to secure it from looters in a storm. But a little old lady is no looter, and with a snowstorm in full force, you're already taking a business loss for the day. Why not do the right thing, Walmart, and put your storm-idled resources to good use?
Is this a surprise? When we allow companies to flout environmental standards, to flourish by paying a poverty wage to its employees, to avoid taxes and costs and shift that burden to others, we create sociopathic monsters. As a country we have allowed corporations to focus only on profit. There is no expected level of social responsibility or corporate citizenship (unless it comes to granting rights for those corporations). As we sew, so shall we reap.
I also read that story...does anyone know how it turned out for the elderly lady?
I haven't heard a report of a death; Lange above says the woman said her son was on his way to get her. Two people did die up in Lawrence County because of the blizzard... though the Black Hills Pioneer report leaves it unclear whether one of those people, an old woman who died in her residence, died because of the storm or due to natural causes.
Imagine how many lives would have been lost if the FEDERAL weather services and FEDERAL satellites, etc. etc. were not working and people were out on horseback and traveling in the middle of nowhere enjoying the wonders of unseasonably warm October weather.
Wow why does everyone automatically believe every word Theresa Lange says about the events of that night???!?!? I see people commenting about "I can't believe they would do that to an elderly lady!" Well for crying out loud, DON'T believe it..... the lady was in the store a few times throughout the ordeal but overall chose to stay in the comfort of her car. She was checked on, invited in more than once. She was fed given hot coffee and hung out in the store too. NEVER denied access to come in and warm up OR asked to leave.
Theresa should be careful of what she wishes for...... I mean hey if they release the video I am sure her reputation stands to be more tarnished than wal marts..... Interesting what you can find on the Pennington Sheriff's website under warrants..... But hey don't take my word for it....I wish the ambulance drivers that took 40 minutes to get to walmart in the middle of this blizzard would come forward... Talk about a waste of resources... how about when they showed up (after being called by Theresa Lange and her friend for hypothermia) turned the ambulance away.... I HOPE THEY RELEASE THE TAPES!!!!
I am heartbroken, mad, and simply sickened that Walmart treated this woman in such a manner. I am from Texas, but human kindness and civility cross all borders. I will never step foot in another Walmart. Period !
I may visit that other Walmart on the nicer side of town even more now based on this story. Go to the new Walmart. I mean, have you ever tried to even go into that old Walmart? The humanity there is so scary you will go insaner than ever.
Boycott Ugly Walmart, use New Walmart. Off Catron. Nice place.
As do I, Linda. I'd love to see the story documented. Are those tapes coming?