I feel so fortunate to work at a place as wonderful as VitaMix. We’re one big family in a loving, caring, and supportive environment.

In August 2008, one of the gals in our department was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the news was not good. She went through chemo and radiation, but in May 2009 she passed. In January 2010, another employee asked me if I would join her on a three-day, sixty-mile breast cancer walk.

I took a leap of faith, not knowing what I was in for, but I knew it was for a good cause and in memory of out dear friend. After I signed up, I looked at all the things that had to be done: fundraising, which I had never done before; camping, which I had not done in 29 years and hated; and walking 60 miles in the July heat, when I could barely make it to the end of my street.

After much preparation the day finally came. At 5:30 the morning of the walk, I was so excited. The sun was out and the sky was pink. Through blisters, bandages, extreme heat, and other obstacles, I was strong and I walked several miles each day. On the final day, the thrill of walking to the finish line was just unbelievable. People were lined up on both sides of the street cheering us on.

The experience of pushing yourself to succeed, with cancer patients and supporters walking beside you, is something I would recommend for anyone. It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget.

VitaMix played a part in my decision to participate by reinforcing the belief that “You can do anything that you want to, and you can succeed.” Through the management training we did last year and the excitement of what I accomplished, I feel that there are more things that I can do now. I’m inspired and empowered and know that I can do something different and make a difference.

Working at VitaMix, I feel we make a difference every day just by coming to work. It’s so rewarding when customers call and tell us what our VitaMix machine has done for them. Often they have been quite ill with cancer, diabetes or other ailments. They call just to share how much it has helped them by freeing them from buying processed foods and opening their eyes to the world of nutrition.

For me, it is very rewarding to know that what I’m doing matters, whether it’s supporting my fellow employees and a cause like the walk, or solving problems for customers on a day-to-day basis. I’m grateful to work here because VitaMix inspires and empowers me to know that together, we really can do anything.