Posted on 03/09/2017 11:26:10 AM PST by nickcarraway
A Plano man’s daily walk to work has received a lot of attention in Collin County this weekend.
Five days a week, Patrick walks the 15 miles from his Plano home to the Braum’s near U.S. 75 and U.S. 380 in McKinney where he works as the acting manager.
The walk typically takes him two-and-a-half to three hours.
But for Patrick, 52, it is simply a matter of commitment.
“You can’t keep your job if you don’t go to work,” he said. “I used to work at the Braum’s in Plano and I got transferred here because they needed help here. I said ‘OK,’ and my commitment to them was, I have to be at work so I’ll be at work, whatever it takes.”
Patrick said that a friend drops him off at home after work each night. He has been making the walk to work for the last seven months.
But over the weekend, Patrick’s stroll along the service road caught the eye of a McKinney Police officer, who stopped to ask if he needed help or a ride.
After taking Patrick to work and learning his story, Officer Branson asked if he could take a photo with him.
Officer Branson then shared the photo and the story on Facebook, writing, “My kids will know about Patrick, my grand kids will know about Patrick, everyone should know about Patrick.” The post garnered nearly 5,000 “likes” in just 24 hours. Patrick said his Braum’s location has been flooded with calls from people wanting to help. A woman even started a GoFundMe account for him, which raised more than $1,000 in one day.
“There is a lot of kindness in Collin County,” he said.
Patrick, who asked that his last name not be shared, said he didn’t want the spotlight, but he hopes his story will inspire younger generations.
“Commitment. You make a commitment to your job, to go to work everyday. They expect you to go to work everyday. No excuses," he said.
No excuses -- just a man leading by example, one step at a time.
On Monday afternoon, Braum's Spokesperson Amanda Beuchaw released the following statement to NBC 5 regarding Patrick:
The news story that was ran on the station over the weekend about one of our employees that works at the McKinney Braum's , Patrick, has been brought to our attention. Many viewers and customers have been reaching out to us because they are concerned that Patrick is having to walk so far to work.
When we were notified, we started looking into the matter with our management team in the area.
About a month ago, Patrick was offered a promotion that would move him from the Plano store to the McKinney store. He is a terrific, hard-working employee and we wanted to offer him the chance to advance in the company. During his interview for the new position, he was asked if he had reliable transportation and he informed the district manager that he did. We did not learn that he was walking to work until we saw the news story that ran this past weekend. We take the health and well-being of our employees seriously and we plan to address this with Patrick.
Thank you for highlighting how great of an employee that Patrick is for the company. We just wanted to address the public's concern, which we share also, and let everyone know that the situation is being evaluated.
The comment from the store management struck me as odd. We asked if he had transportation nd he said yes. I guess he didn’t think to mention it was his feet and that’s fine. I love his commitment to his employer.
But when they said they would address it with him, that almost sounds like he’s to be reprimanded, or it’s just some mealy mouthed HR lady who doesn’t know how to give an honest answer.
Thought about that, but then you’d think a bike, or a bus pass, or rides from coworkers.
The furthest I ever had to walk everyday was to my high school and back home, and that was 7 miles. But it was uphill. Both ways.
In the snow! Even in the spring!
In two feet of snow in your bare feet?
When I was in training about age 60, I could walk at five miles an hour for an hour. It is very fast walking. I did it because I had an injury, and could not run.
At the same level of fitness, I could run four miles in half an hour. 15 miles is a lot to do every day, walking or running.
I suspect some exaggeration of the distance.
It is not impossible, but you should have a shower facility at the other end.
Not walking anymore
A dealship gave him a new car
Maybe the roads aren’t good for a bike.
Just in the morning. By afternoon the temps were up to 118 or so. Had to dress in layers.
I used to ride my bike to work (about 10 miles) 1) because I was a cheapskate 2) because parking near the hospital was impossible to find and disgracefully expensive and 3) I enjoyed it (most of the time).
LOL - Patrick gonna get fired for lying in his interview :)
That’s hill country, I think.
I wonder if he was able to get a partial ride to within 4-5 miles. Much easier to understand that. It would also explain the lack of a bike.
The ride at the end of the shift also explains the lack of a bike, if your ride cannot transport the bike.
I used to ride my bike to work, 9 miles each way at one job, 3 at another. The 9 mile one was up a steep hill, fortunately going TO work in the morning. Then going home I could coast probably half the way.
yes, but 15 consecutive 12 minute miles walking is not so easy and that gets you to 3 hours not between 2 1/2 and 3 hours
You're assuming that the bus runs between these 2 points when he needs it. This isn't a city with constantly running buses.
No, that’s Austin. This is near Dallas. Pretty flat I think.
That would make sense, 7 or 8 miles each way. That’s like a 2 to 2.5 hour walk each way.
Yes, that does make sense. 7.5 miles is an easy two hour walk if you are in shape. I can walk 4 mph easily. Taking it up to 5 mph is right at the point where it is easier to run than to walk. As I recall 5 mph is the point where running takes the same energy as walking.
Never mind. Looks like they shut it off.
15-18 MPH is quite a pace on a bicycle, for a casual hurry up ride 10 MPH is more realistic. I know aggressive young guys can haul buttocks quite fast, but like someone else says you are going to need a shower at work. Add in lots of hills and I call Bravo Sierra with doing 17 miles walking one way in under 3 hours everyday. There just isn’t enough time in the day to work, travel, live and sleep.
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