CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The snowstorm a few weeks ago left many people stranded in their homes and out of work for a week. For some, however, staying home wasn’t an option. AHC Clarksville, a local nursing home, was kept running through the work of one maintenance man.
Dale Powers has worked at AHC for three years, but he had never seen weather like that. Many employees called out due to the road conditions. But Powers picked up co-workers on all shifts throughout the week in his truck.
“To me, I wasn’t even thinking about it,” Powers said. “People needed to be picked up, and that’s just what I’d done.”
Powers ending up working 76 hours that week. He picked up the employees that couldn’t get there for every shift, with most of his days not ending until around 10 p.m. Even then, Powers stayed at the nursing facility to be there if anyone needed him.
“If somebody needs help, and I can help, I’m going to help them.”
Lesia Sanders, a dietary manager at AHC, said she was moved by Powers’ call to action. “That was something to be admired,” Sanders told Clarksville Now. “He risked his life because it was dangerous out there.”
Sanders said that without Powers’ help, the facility would not have had the help they needed to care for the patients.
“Their very lives depend on us doing our job,” Powers said.
Sanders threw a small celebration to recognize Powers for all of his hard work. She had gathered her connections and she received over $500 worth of gift cards and certificates for gas, car washes, and food.
“Do the right thing even when someone’s not looking, you never know who’s looking,” Sanders said.