While managing a pizza shop in Battle Creek, Michigan, Dalton Shaffer got an unusual call from someone in Indianapolis, more than 225 miles away.
Julie and Richard Morgan had once lived in Battle Creek, and loved their local pizza shop. They’d moved 25 years ago, and tried many more pizzas, but never found one they loved as much as Steve’s.
“We were young and money was tight but every pay day, Rich would pick up Steve’s Pizza for dinner. I can’t possibly describe how delicious this pizza is – but several moves and all these years later, it is still the gold standard and we’ve never found a better pizza yet.” – Julie Morgan
Steve’s has a reputation as a beloved family establishment and has been there for decades.
As a birthday celebration, they planned a trip back to Battle Creek to visit a place they once called home, but the journey was cut short. Rich was unexpectedly rushed to the ICU and diagnosed with terminal cancer.
When their family came to visit them in the hospital, Julie’s father was heart broken to hear that Rich wouldn’t be able to visit Battle Creek and have his favourite pizza again.
Rich had frequently critiqued other pizza and found it was “good, but it’s no Steve’s.”
Julie’s father called Steve’s Pizza, hoping for a letter or at best a phone call thanking the Morgans for their years of patronage and some well wishes.
Dalton Shaffer was on the other end of the phone and heard the plight of the sick man’s father-in-law.
Steve’s Pizza has a strict no delivery rule, but Dalton made an exception for the Morgans.
He asked what Richard’s favourite pizza was, and jotted down the address. Julie’s father emphasized that they were all the way over in Indianaopolis, but Dalton insisted. He closed the store and got in his car, prepared for a three and a half hour journey through the night across State lines.
Hopefully he brought some extra pizza with him as a road trip snack!
So in the middle of the night, Dalton arrived at the house and delivered two special pies for the whole family.
The circumstances must have made that slice of Steve’s pizza even more delicious than before!
Dalton was met with open arms and an offer to be put up at a nearby hotel for the night. He declined because he had to work the next day.
What an incredibly dedicated employee – get this guy a raise!
“The family came up, gave me a hug and everything like that, and it was cool. The expression on their faces and everything was really cool.” – Dalton Shaffer
Julie shared the story to Facebook and her post quickly went viral. It’s been shared four thousand times and has had more than ten thousand reactions.
People are blown away by Dalton’s generous response to the phone call, and the lengths he went to to bring joy to this family.
This is next level customer service.
Dalton has since been presented with an award by Mayor of Battle Creek for his valiant act of kindness.
“I am beyond overwhelmed and humbled by this act of genuine kindness. Dalton brought our family so much joy – and the best pizza in the world – at a really difficult time.” – Julie Morgan
I’m sure Steve’s Pizza can expect to see a massive spike in visitors after this heart-warming story.
Maybe they’ll change their take-away only rule!
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