A HOLIDAY GIFT FOR WIDOW LOCAL BUSINESS TO PROVIDE FREE HOUSE PAINTING.Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer VALENCIA - Josh Abramson's eyes usually don't fill with tears when he leads staff meetings at his Valencia painting company. But Wednesday's gathering of some two dozen employees and others in the upstairs conference room at A. Albright Painting was special. The crew had gathered to hear about the five top nominees for a company contest - $5,000 worth of painting services for a deserving de·serv·ing adj. Worthy, as of reward, praise, or aid. n. Merit; worthiness. de·serv  ing·ly adv. household - and to vote for the winner.
``Oh, my God!'' cried Sylvia Aquila of Acton, reached by phone after employees decided she would be the recipient of the company's donation. Abramson gave Aquila the good news via speakerphone speak·er·phone n. A telephone or telephone attachment that contains both a loudspeaker and a microphone, allowing several persons to participate in a call at the same time without the telephone receiver being held. Noun 1. . The workers who crowded the conference room listened in, wearing huge smiles and dabbing at tears as Aquila, a recent widow and mother of two, talked with Abramson. The staff had gathered for a monthly meeting - dining on pizza to celebrate a profitable month - and to hear the stories of those nominated nom·i·nate tr.v. nom·i·nat·ed, nom·i·nat·ing, nom·i·nates 1. To propose by name as a candidate, especially for election. 2. To designate or appoint to an office, responsibility, or honor. for the painting services. Abramson read letters about families and one nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. in need, but became tearful and was unable to finish Terry and Linda Bundy's story of Aquila, their neighbor in Acton. ``Just last month, Carlos, her husband of 20 years, died suddenly of a heart attack,'' the letter read. ``He was only 40 years old. ... She is left to raise their 9-year-old daughter and their 16-year-old son.'' Carlos Aquila was stricken as he was driving about a block from the family home. His car swerved into a parked car and his son and a friend pulled him from his car and called 911. He died at a hospital. ``There wasn't even a chance to say goodbye,'' the Bundys wrote. The four runners-up in the contest each received a few votes, but about three-quarters of the crew marked the index card on the bulletin below the copy of the Bundys' letter. ``This would be something nice for her, her husband passed away,'' Engelbert Barrientos said after casting his vote. ``It's Thanksgiving Thanksgiving annual U.S. holiday celebrating harvest and yearly blessings; originated with Pilgrims (1621). [Am. Culture: EB, IX: 922] See : America Thanksgiving national holiday with luxurious dinner as chief ritual. [Am. Pop. and we have a lot to be thankful for. It's nice to be able to help someone else.'' Aquila, a faceless voice on speakerphone, was clearly stunned stun tr.v. stunned, stun·ning, stuns 1. To daze or render senseless, by or as if by a blow. 2. To overwhelm or daze with a loud noise. 3. as Abramson explained how her story had touched him, his employees and a representative from Dunn-Edwards, which will donate the paint. Work will begin in January. ``This is God's work, through you guys,'' she said, quite evidently holding back tears. Thank you so much. My children thank you. God bless bless tr.v. blessed or blest , bless·ing, bless·es 1. To make holy by religious rite; sanctify. 2. To make the sign of the cross over so as to sanctify. 3. To invoke divine favor upon. you guys.'' Patricia Farrell Aidem, (661) 257-5251 pat.aidem(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color -- ran in SAC Sac: see Sac and Fox. SAC - 1. An early system on the Datatron 200 series. [Listed in CACM 2(5):16 (May 1959)]. edition only) Josh Abramson of A. Albright Painting tells Sylvia Aquila, whose husband recently died, about the free service. (2 -- color in Verb 1. color in - add color to; "The child colored the drawings"; "Fall colored the trees"; "colorize black and white film" color, colorise, colorize, colour in, colourise, colourize, colour AV edition only) Employees of A. Albright Painting listen while the recipient of the free service hears the news; Josh Abramson holds the phone. David Crane/Staff Photographer |
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