Hannah Ritter embodies “pay it forward” in Wellsville
A column by JOHN ANDERSON
This past April 27 was a strange day in the world of the internet. But it was a normal one in the world of Ed Wonderling.
Spectrum and Verizon were having issues and most stores were stuck only being able to use cash.
At Giant Food Mart in Wellsville, the staff was able to get a credit card machine online as well as cash, but could not take debit. It was creating some difficulties with customers around town and a few at Giant until the service was restored.
Ed had his mind, heart and stomach set on what he wanted for dinner as well as a few other items he needed in his house. When he got to the register, his card would not work because of the internet issue.
If you know Eddie, you know him as a guy who always makes you smile and on his Facebook, his daily dose of puns are a must-read. When it came to work or playing sports, Ed was all business. You did not want to cross him. But after work or a game, he was gregarious and had a laugh and one-liners in a voice that only rivals Wolfman Jack.
Ed has traded the home run bat for life as a grandfather, but his humor is as sharp as ever.
That smile left his face as his food was stopped on the conveyor belt. Moisture beading from the cold food matched the sweat starting to bead on his forehead.
The cashier, Hannah Ritter, who will be graduating this month, is working part-time with hopes of going full-time in the future. She loves her job at Giant.
But she loves her customers more.
Without skipping a beat, she pulled out her credit card and tried Google pay. However the internet outage declined that payment method as well. She asked Ed to hold on and rushed to the employee lounge to get her purse.
When she returned, she used cash to make sure Ed Wonderling had a great dinner, just days away from his birthday.
With tears in his eyes, Ed posted on Facebook, “I said you didn’t have to do that. She said ‘that’s okay, just pay it forward.’ I gave her a hug and with tears in my eyes I said thank you so much, I’ll never forget you.”
The actions of Hannah Ritter with Ed Wonderling defines her every day on every shift. Her love of people and her job is an admirable quality.
“I didn’t do it for publicity, I just like to help people in the community. He’s a great guy and I hope he’s doing well,” Hannah said. “Working here, I really like the staff and I like the environment. I like our customers, they are incredibly kind.”
She then explained another perk of working at the supermarket.
“My favorite day to work is Tuesday because it’s Senior Day and customers get five percent off,” she continued. “If you could hear some of the stories they share, they are incredible. One woman is the most elegant and beautiful woman I have ever met in my life and the stories she could tell you are awesome. She knows what she wants and how she wants it done and I think that’s what I like the best about her. She is very smart and well-mannered.”
While Ed has a private Facebook, a nosy reporter who used to play softball with him sent the screenshot of the post to Giant Food Mart ownership who passed it along to management. They figured out who the cashier was without having to look at cameras!
One of the managers at Giant, Jesse McKee talked to Hannah and thanked her. She did not realize he was getting information to thank her. The store then presented her with a $100 gift card to the Beef Haus restaurant on Main Street.
“After the post, my manager Jesse came over to me one day and asked me about it and asked if he could share it with people. He asked me what my favorite restaurant was and I was so excited to receive a $100 gift card to the Beef Haus as a thank you! It was really kind of them, I really appreciated it,” Hannah said.
All for a customer she never met before, but hopes he comes through her line again. Hannah had to cut the interview short, she had something she enjoys in life … heading to work at Giant.
As for Ed, his sense of humor is still intact. Yesterday he posted, “I did a little mechanic work today. Put a rear end in a recliner!”
It’s also something you do with a smile when a stranger pays for your dinner.
(John Anderson is a contributing writer to the Sun and social media manager as well as a consultant to newspapers and publications around the country. He can be reached at jandersondigitalmedia@gmail.com)
