Jerry Hanks – 43 Years Of Outstanding Service!
Giving Back
2016 Hospitality Hero – Kamar Harleem & Admir Smajic
The definition of hero, a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities, applies to both men who have been selected to receive the honor of Hospitality Hero by Explore St. Louis. Kamar Harleem and Admir Smajic were chosen for separate acts of heroism that each of them performed in service to the community. We, at St. Louis County Cab, congratulate and honor Kamar and Admir for being outstanding gentlemen and taxi drivers.
Kamar Harleem was chosen for his life-saving act of heroism on January 13, 2016. As was told to us by a passenger and long-time customer, Kamar spotted a young man lying behind a vehicle next to the road. Recognizing that there was a person in distress, Kamar calmly but quickly turned around and returned to the person in need. The young man was in the midst of a seizure which was brought on by a serious medical condition for which he was being treated. Kamar’s ability to remain calm and make the right decisions at every critical turn allowed for emergency treatment to be south, provided and to end this story in a positive way. When asked about these events, Kamar hesitated to describe his involvement. He didn’t want this recognition for what he did. He did it simply because it was the right thing to do and he was in the position to do what was right when it was needed. For this, Kamar Harleem is a 2016 Hospitality Hero as chosen by Explore St. Louis.
Admir was chosen Hospitality Hero for a less dramatic but no less heroic event in January. This event is best described by the customer who submitted it to us: “Please thank driver Admir of Cab #626 for driving us home from St. Clair Hospital today (1/9/16, 11:00 a.m.) during the brief but ugly snow squall. My husband was discharged from the hospital with a heavily-bandaged, non-weight- bearing foot following serious surgery. In fact the trip began by keeping Admir waiting outside while the nurses finished their work and brought us down. Sorry for the delay! Our driveway is short but very steep and slick when it snows. Admir was able to back his vehicle part way up, and then pushed my husband’s wheelchair up-hill through the extremely slippery snow and slush into the dry garage. This took strength and determination, and he was also concerned for my safety as I made my way on foot. Finally, he saw us safely up a short flight of stairs into the kitchen and made sure that my husband was seated in a chair. Truly this was not just courteous, it was heroic! Please let him know what an important role he played in our lives today.” Most sincerely, Cathy (age 68) and Thomas (age 67), Grateful Passengers
Heroism takes on many forms in our lives. Sometimes it is a dramatic act during extraordinary circumstances. Most often, heroism is an extraordinary act during non-dramatic circumstances. What remains consistent is that heroes exist everywhere and in every occupation. Kamar and Admir, you were both heroes to people in a time of need. You make yourselves, your families, us and your industry proud!
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Day-Long Cab Ride Across St. Louis to #EndALZ
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness month, and every year St. Louis County Cab & Yellow Taxi participates in The Longest Day by hosting the Day-Long Cab Ride!
The cab ride was part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Longest Day event, which involves thousands of individual events and activities taking place worldwide, and hundreds in St. Louis, happening on the summer solstice. This year the Day-Long Cab Ride was on June 21st. During the Day-Long Cab Ride, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Missouri Chapter, Vice President of Communication Peggy Killian rode in our taxi cabs from sunrise to sunset. She went on a cab ride all across the St. Louis area, picking up various passengers who shared their stories and personal connection to the disease and their involvement in the fight to End Alzheimer’s. She also made stops to visit ten other Longest Day activities, everything from pickle-ball to bocce!
Our team raised just over $1,500 to help fund programs and services for families living with Alzheimer’s and to advance critical research to find a cure.
Below is a fun photo recap of Peggy’s journey across St. Louis on The Longest Day!
St. Louis County Cab & Yellow taxi is proud to volunteer our taxi cabs and team of drivers in support of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Missouri local effort to #ENDALZ. Find out what we’re up to next by connecting with us on Facebook. You can also view the entire Day-Long Cab Ride photo album on our Facebook page. We share local travel tips, special offers, giveaways, company announcements and other fun stuff happening around St. Louis!
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VICC Program Supports STL
There is no question that the past 15 months have created challenges in everyone’s lives. These constantly shifting challenges have created numerous obstacles to success. Despite these hurdles, thousands of St. Louis area students will be graduating over the next few weeks to embark on new adventures. We want to take a moment to recognize those who have persevered through these challenges and are preparing to celebrate the momentous occasion of high school graduation. Congratulations to all of the graduating seniors in the St. Louis area – specifically, the 329 graduating seniors who have participated in the VICC program.
For almost 40 years, St. Louis County & Yellow Taxi Company has worked closely with the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation (VICC) to provide safe and reliable transportation to kids participating in the school choice programs. Since 1981, the VICC program has supported the educational goals of more than 80,000 students. For the team at VICC, these aren’t just numbers – they are people…the kiddos.
Beyond Education
When the pandemic forced schools to shut down in March 2020, the team at VICC switched gears to find other ways to support students with not just their educations, but their lives as well. VICC helped supply Chromebooks, hot spots, school supplies, and meals to kids learning remotely. Between March and July, VICC delivered 1,800 meals each week. As students began to return to
school in August, VICC continued to deliver more than 500 meals and weekend food backpacks. That’s more than 50,000 meals! VICC recognized that the success of a student depends on the support they receive. Tami Webb, Operations Manager of VICC Transportation, says: “What these kids have accomplished during this crazy year is utterly remarkable! It truly takes a village and everyone at VICC is glad to be part of that village.” We are incredibly proud to work so closely with an organization that helps students achieve success in all aspects of life.
Through all of the adversity created by the pandemic, the 329 graduating seniors in the VICC program are a testament to the program and the support of everyone involved. The parents, teachers, coaches, administrators, facilities and food service teams, bus and taxi drivers, and the outstanding team at VICC have helped to create an environment where these graduating seniors could thrive. But it has been the dedication and hard work of these kiddos that have allowed them to accomplish this truly remarkable feat! Great job, and best wishes for a bright future!!
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