October Kitchen - December 2022

Woman Uses Her Drone to Find Missing Animals FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS

the canine on her screen. She then gave the owners directions to the best spot for intercepting Hilda. The couple was able to retrieve their beloved furry friend just minutes before the heavy downpour came.

My team ensured everyone had a great and memorable Thanksgiving. They didn’t miss a beat while I was away — it was so flawless, you would think I was still in the kitchen. I sincerely appreciate everyone who ensured October Kitchen’s door remained open while I was away. I’m blessed to be surrounded by a team that will go above and beyond in everything they do and aren’t afraid to rise to the occasion. I couldn’t be any prouder of my team. While my team was busy preparing Thanksgiving meals and holding down the fort while I was gone, I was in a sling for six weeks. It was more challenging than I thought it would be — I didn’t realize how much I depended on my right hand and arm. While I’m no longer in a sling, I will be recovering and going to physical therapy for a little over a year to ensure I regain some of my strength. I’ve taken my time away from October Kitchen as an opportunity to reflect and find areas I can improve in my personal and professional life. ... continued from Cover When most people think of drones, they think of aerial vehicles that provide a bird’s-eye view of a sporting event, city, neighborhood or live event. Some people may think of how these vehicles are used in the military to collect data. But Erica Hart uses her drone to help those in her community find their runaway dogs. Hart created a Facebook group for people to post stories and pictures about their lost furry friends. Then, she will use her drone and help families find their beloved pets. Hart has rescued more than 200 dogs in the past seven years and doesn’t charge any money for this service — she does it solely because of her love for dogs. One of Hart’s most recent dog findings happened on Sept. 9, 2022. Hart was pushing her shopping cart down the supermarket’s aisles when she received a call about a missing schnauzer named Hilda. A thunderstorm was approaching her area, and Hart wanted to find the dog as soon as possible. So, Hart abandoned her shopping trip and raced home to launch her drone. Then, Hart drove to the last location Hilda was seen and talked to the owners about which direction the schnauzer ran. After learning that Hilda had darted off into a nearby field, Hart began to fly her drone over the area and spotted

The couple was so relieved they found Hilda before the storm. They consider Hart to be a real superhero because of how she dropped everything to help a family in need. But Hart is happy to assist anyone looking for their lost dog. Being able to reunite families with their furry friends and seeing how happy they are afterward is all the reward Hart needs. Thank you, Erica Hart, for being a shining light and helping families find their lovable, furry friends. Your acts of kindness inspire and motivate thousands of people worldwide to make an impact in their communities.

I miss being in the kitchen and engaging with my team and customers, but I know October Kitchen is in good hands. I can’t thank my team enough for their hard work and dedication. I don’t know how I will ever repay them for everything they’ve done for me. Happy Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day to everyone on my team. Every single one of you makes October Kitchen what it is today, and your work doesn’t go unnoticed by our community or me. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in the future. Thank you all for always having my back and showing me it’s okay to ask for and receive help when needed.

2 OctoberKitchen.com

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