Two Fruit Guys to the Rescue

FruitGuys Los Angeles Operations Manager Michelle Dixon shared this email with the company on February 24, 2016, recounting the selfless and heroic actions of two of her staffers who found themselves on an unexpected rescue mission during a weekend hike. Here’s her email:

Hello Fruit Family,

I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you a little story about two incredibly unselfish heroes among us.

This past weekend two of our own were directly involved in a potentially lifesaving moment.

Miguel Robles and Loren Skoug had planned a weekend hike in the California foothills. They work diligently during the week and look forward to the freeing experience of fresh air, physically challenging obstacles, and a break from the daily grind. Their sights were set on a relatively remote location with some treacherous trails that were abnormally challenging with the colder weather, ice, and mud. About 30 minutes into the hike, the sun was beginning to rise and a voice came out of nowhere calling for help. A solo hiker was clinging onto a branch after he had taken a pretty bad spill down the mountain. Our two Fruit Heroes without hesitation jumped into action. They were able to assist him to the safety of the trail. Unfortunately, due to his severe and potentially life-threatening injuries, the lone hiker was unable to make it back down the trail. Loren swiftly ventured back to the ranger station, which was closed and then to the next closest location to call for medical assistance. While Loren waited for the Fire Department/Medical rescue to arrive, Miguel stayed with the hiker, offering whatever medical and emotional support he could to reassure him. While the hiker remained visually calm, I am convinced that was a genuine front and understated his thankfulness to have Miguel and Loren at his aid.

Loren was able to lead the medical team back to Miguel and the hiker. Ultimately, the hiker was airlifted to the hospital and later discovered to have suffered multiple pelvic and spinal injuries causing unforeseen internal bleeding. The hiker reached out to them on Monday to thank them for their help and offer to buy them lunch!

I am thankful that this story had a happy ending. However, I believe that this is a perfect example of the heartbeat of two incredible Fruit Guys. Their instinctive commitment to see those in need and help without hesitation or consideration of the “interruption” to their lives is a living example of what we all strive to be and the legacy we hope to leave. The FruitGuys’ mission isn’t about the trail to the top of the proverbial mountain, but the road and lives we impact along the way. We look to reach those who need help; seek opportunities to offer positive steps toward a better and more fulfilling existence; and, most importantly, the willingness to set aside our personal goals to lift others up to be more than they thought possible. It would have been easy to keep walking, ignore the calls for help, and complete the hike to the top; but what an incredible gift would have been missed from the experience of helping another. That is where real enrichment resides.

I realize this might be a bit Utopia-like, or even a bit sappy. But it’s the reason I work for The FruitGuys, and the daily gratefulness I experience working side by side with people just like Miguel and Loren. I’m so thankful that they’re a crucial part of our FruitGuys Family.

Please help me in acknowledging the selfless and inspiring acts of kindness these two demonstrated.

Know that both guys are probably completely embarrassed by this entire display, making it all the more appropriate to acknowledge them.

Thank you, Miguel and Loren, for the fortune of working with each of you daily and the example you set for us all.