For Anastasia Chavarria, a member of the cleaning crew from Southwest Cleaning for the Betenbough Business Services Support Center (BBSSC), her five-year wedding anniversary was supposed to be a dream fulfilled.
After COVID-19 forced her and her husband to cancel their wedding celebration back in 2020, they hoped to finally gather their friends and family for a reception filled with dancing, music, and joy.
But just weeks before the big day, a tornado hit west Lubbock. The storm destroyed part of their roof, siding, and fence, and it flooded their carpet. Even their car was damaged. The money they’d carefully saved for their celebration was quickly rerouted to repairs. Though insurance helped, the anniversary party they’d longed for slipped away.
Anastasia canceled the venue. She had to tell friends and family who were expecting invitations that there would be no party after all. What was meant to be a milestone celebration — like their wedding — became another loss.
Still, Anastasia kept showing up to work with her usual bright spirit. She shared with Amanda Gonzales, payroll manager, that she and her husband would still go to Las Brisas, their anniversary tradition, just the two of them. Amanda quietly hoped that the Betenbough team would be willing to add a bit more to their special occasion.
Over time, Amanda and Anastasia had built a friendship, connecting over their shared stories of “COVID weddings” and postponed celebrations. When Amanda learned about the storm damage and cancelled anniversary party, God stirred her heart. “I knew we couldn’t replace the big event,” Amanda says, “but we could show her how much she’s loved.”
Amanda sent out an email inviting others from the home offices to help. The response was overwhelming. Team members across every Betenbough company gave generously. Together, they collected enough to create a blessing far greater than anyone expected.
Anastasia had taken off work for her anniversary, but she and her husband were asked to stop by the BBSSC. They were surprised with flowers, handwritten notes, and generous gift cards—including one to Las Brisas and another to help with home repairs.
“When we opened the gifts, my husband was floored,” Anastasia recalls. “He realized how much Betenbough cares for us. He was so touched that he told all his coworkers. We still cry over it.”
For Anastasia, the gift was more than financial help. It was proof that she is seen, known, and loved. “Despite just being a simple janitor, y’all have shown me just how much people can really care for you,” she shares. “In the 30 years I’ve been alive and working, I don’t think I’ve ever had a company show such genuine interest and just want to help. You don’t find that a lot nowadays. It gives me a good sense of pride in my job. I genuinely love coming here. I look forward to it every day.”
Amanda says the blessing reflects what makes Betenbough’s culture unique: “This culture loves people first. Anastasia takes such good care of us every day. It only made sense that we would want to take care of her, too.”
The disappointment of a cancelled party transformed into something precious — a moment of friendship, generosity, and love.
