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Charlie Lee: A man
with a big heart for people
By Jim Youngquist with
Kate Newman
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[May 27, 2022]
For seventeen years,
Kate Newman carefully observed the actions and words of her boss,
Charlie Lee, owner of the Lincoln IGA grocery store. She witnessed
all that he does for the community and for individuals, and remarks
that he has never gotten any recognition. Charlie Lee does not want
recognition. He does what he does to support his community.
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Whenever someone comes into the IGA and says, "I'm
hungry," Charlie has been known to give them money from his own
pocket, or groceries or prepared food without reservations and with
no questions asked because Charlie Lee is a man with a big heart.
Community organizers regularly come into IGA to request Charlie's
help with their upcoming fundraisers or community events. Charlie
always responds affirmatively and helps with the food costs, and
with the timing and necessary hardware to make the event a big
success. Patrons are always eager to buy ribeye and pork chop
sandwiches because they know Charlie has supplied the event with the
very best. And he has never turned anyone down.
Charlie's business is not merely organized around the usual pursuit
of profits. He runs his business to support his charities. Every
Saturday there is a sandwich sale in the parking lot at IGA to
support yet another charity. Over the years Charlie has done a lot
for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts with various sales at the store.
Charlie has supported church events and school events, is active
with promotions for United Way, as well as a hundred other
organizations and charities. This list does not even begin to
document all the charities and charitable acts Charlie has
performed.
Every year Charlie works with the Lincoln Mayor in a city wide food
basket drive. WLCN is on hand to promote the event. And every year
they top the previous year in food collected to help those who are
truly in need.
Charlie Lee is wonderful to his employees (Kate says that is why she
stayed 17 years). Kate tells the story that customers often
mistakenly thought she was Charlie's daughter because of how he
treated her, and as his daughter they expected that Kate would be
buying the store someday.
Charlie Lee brings out the best in those who work
for him with kindness, making employee desire to be a better person.
The employees all have a sense of loyalty first to Charlie, and IGA
second. Charlie treats each employee the same wonderful way, and
believes that everyone deserves a chance.
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Charlie took special care of all his employees
through the pandemic, and inspired them to fight hard to keep the
store open and running for the community through Covid.
Humble, generous to a fault, non-judgmental, and having a heart
twice the size of his body, Charlie Lee is truly worthy of being
called one of our Hometown Heroes!
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