Pay It Forward - Push Forward

Bell Employees 

Darci Theede, Vicky Schafer and team
Wahpeton, N.D.

Recipient

Beth Quien

The Need

As the cleaning person for Bell Bank in Wahpeton, N.D., Beth Quien was something special. She strove for perfection, and the team noticed her labors when they walked into their clean and beautiful spaces every morning. Beth got to know team members just from seeing their workstations, with their names and personal photos – and she thought of each one as she cleaned an office or a section of the teller line.

“There was not a spot of dirt anywhere,” says mortgage lender Darci Theede, and branch manager Vicky Schafer adds, “[Beth] wanted everything perfect, and it was beautiful.”

To Beth, chatting with Bell’s team after hours, or thinking of them while she was alone cleaning, came naturally.

“I always think of the people I’m working for, because I want them to know I care,” she says.

But one night, when Beth was almost finished scrubbing floors, she suddenly slipped while crossing the wet tile. The fall shattered her femur and broke her kneecap, landing her in the hospital for several weeks.

The Impact

Bell’s team quickly realized their bank wasn’t the same without Beth’s touch. And when they understood the severity of her injuries, there were six or seven employees who pooled their Pay It Forward funds, raising over $3,000 for their friend.

“She was very grateful and surprised,” says Vicky. “When people are experiencing any type of hardship, it is a huge blessing to be able to give them hope.”

For Beth, it was a helpful reminder of people’s kindness.

“After breaking my leg and not being able to go back to work, it meant the world to me,” she says. “I love the people in this bank. They’ve treated me very well … and it’s nice to know that they thought I did such a good job, because that means something to me.”

Beth says she can’t wait to go back to work – and it’s a sure bet that her friends at Bell are awaiting her return. Beth feels like part of the Bell family, thanks to her inspiring work ethic and personal kindness.

“I’ve always been one of those people, I’ve had lots of health issues, but I’ve always pushed forward,” relates Beth. “Sometimes you have to get out there and push forward.” 

Through the Pay It Forward program, Bell gives employees money each year to donate to people in need and causes they care about.