On Nov. 15, North Shore Bank participated in the Great American Smokeout, a national event put on by the American Cancer Society that encourages smokers to quit smoking or to make a plan to quit.
Executive Assistant Lynn Jack offered smokers who pledged to quit for the day a free “cold turkey” sandwich from Subway. Everyone who pledged to quit for the day was also entered into a drawing for a free Thanksgiving turkey, as were nonsmokers who pledged to help a smoker quit for the day. All told, 52 employees participated.
Sussex CSR Kelly Jo Gabrus, who won the turkey, helped fellow CSR Erika Smith quit smoking for the day. Kelly writes:
I had the privilege of supporting Erika for the Great American Smokeout. We didn’t overlap at work that day, so when I woke up that morning, I sent her a friendly text reminding her not to smoke. When I got to work, I had a little gift for her — I told her if she was able to make it all day without smoking, she could have it. I’m very proud of her for having the willpower to stick to it. Now I plan to continue supporting her, so she can cut back and perhaps even quit entirely.
Congratulations to all the smokers who made it throughout the day without a cigarette and many thanks to those nonsmokers who supported them.
My heart goes out to anyone trying to quit smoking, I did in 1998 and had smoked since I was 17, I will say it is very hard to do, but if you pick something in your life that has meaning it is easy, you need to think about a child in your family or any member will do, and say to yourself, I want to see him or her grow and maybe get married or have a great career, that will motivate you, this is what I did and I thank God I did it.