On October 30, Waymakers Foundation Executive Director Stephanie Nixon thought she was coming to WARM to look at donations.
We told her we had some donations for her to look at, to see if she wanted them for the foundation. Our Executive Director Chad Maxeiner radioed Operations Director Tim Bailey to bring them around.
She wasn't met with gaylords of items. She was met with a newly branded box truck with the Waymakers logo on the side.
“Praise God,” Stephanie said. “That is amazing!”
The truck was WARM's very first box truck, and it served us for years. When we purchased a new box truck with funds given to us by Bailey Cavalieri Law Firm, we retired our old one and passed it along to Waymakers.
“I am so excited that we were able to pay it forward by gifting our very first box truck to Stephanie and the Waymakers Foundation,” Chad said. “That truck was such an important part of WARM's story. What it allowed us to accomplish over the years was amazing, and knowing it will now help another organization do great things is truly a blessing.”
How It Came Together
When Chad had the idea, he called Jessica Schmitt of Philanthropia, WARM's former Development and Communications Director, and Jamie Maze of Maze & Co. Real Estate Group, a former WARM board member, for help. He needed to know what it would take to make this possible, and if they knew anyone who could help with the truck's paint and graphics.
Chad soon realized it would cost $3,000–$5,000 just to repaint the truck. That's when Operations Director Tim Bailey offered to sand and repaint the truck himself, so the project could move forward with little money spent.
Jamie connected Chad with Kavan Reames, President and Founding Member of Best Graphics Company, who provided the Waymakers decal for free.
Thank you to Jessica, Jamie, Tim, and Kavan for helping make this surprise possible!
A Free Store for Families Starting Over
Waymakers serves our Westerville community with a free store, including household essentials and clothes, for individuals and families rebuilding after a crisis. Their mission is “to restore dignity and hope to individuals and families facing hardship.”
At the free store, individuals and families choose the items they need at no cost: furniture, clothing, kitchen items, bedding, hygiene products, and more. Waymakers serves single parents, domestic violence survivors, widows, veterans, and anyone going through a life-changing event.
Marty and Stephanie Nixon founded Waymakers Foundation, and it started in Stephanie's basement.
A Truck for a Growing Need
“We have more families coming through every single week,” Stephanie said.
Waymakers will use the truck to pick up new items and deliver them to families after they face a loss.
“What makes this even more special to me is knowing the heart Stephanie has for the people she serves,” Chad said. “To be able to come alongside her and help the Waymakers Foundation continue their incredible work means so much.”
Nobody at Stephanie's office knew about the surprise.
“My team is going to flip,” she said. “I think they'll all start crying when I get there.”
Better Together
“To me, this is what Westerville is all about,” Chad said. “It's people caring about people, organizations supporting one another, and a community that understands we can accomplish so much more when we work together.”
We are so blessed to be able to support Waymakers in their mission as, together, we seek to serve our neighbors facing hardship.
“That old truck helped WARM make a difference for a lot of years,” Chad said. “I can't wait to see the difference it makes for the Waymakers Foundation. What a blessing to be a small part of their story!”
Want to support Waymakers Foundation? Visit waymakersfoundation.org to give or volunteer.
Together, we can provide food for today, and support for tomorrow.