Applebee’s cooks up special surprise party
Two employees of a Waterloo restaurant had a rough 2015, so management and fellow employees did a little something to get their 2016 off to a positive start.
A surprise party was thrown this Saturday for Ben Norton and Christena Schoenbeck at Applebee’s in Waterloo. Surrounded by a small group of friends, family and co-workers, both employees were presented with gift baskets and the chance to be the center of attention for a few hours.
“It was a well deserved day in their honor,” said Judy Zanti, general manager of Applebee’s in Waterloo.
Zanti contacted the corporate office, who was accepting nominations for the Applebee’s Give Squad to honor valuable employees in some special way.
Norton and Schoenbeck each cared for and lost loved ones to cancer last year while dealing with serious health issues of their own.
“Yet both put on a happy face and came to work as usual,” Zanti said.
Schoenbeck has worked as a server at Applebee’s since 2005. Known affectionately as “Grandma” — even the guests ask for her by this name, Zanti said — Schoenbeck lost her mother after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She also had to undergo a knee surgery that still makes it hard for her to be on her feet for very long.
Shortly after that surgery, Schoenbeck’s husband experienced some medical problems. After many trips to the hospital, he was diagnosed with cancer in several areas of his body. He went through all the treatments and lost his battle after a very short time.
“She was obviously devastated, but always putting on a brave front,” Zanti said.
Norton, 20, who works as a cook at Applebee’s, has spent the past year taking care of his mother who had cancer. His mother died just a few months ago.
A diabetic, Norton is on daily medications as well.
“He went through a very rough time,” Zanti said. “(That’s) a lot of pressure for a young guy. He is back to work, but it would be nice to see him happy again.”
Judging by the smiles on their faces this past Saturday, the surprise party provided much happiness to these two deserving, dedicated employees.
