One Target in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York has gone the extra mile, hosting a slumber party for motorists and shoppers who were stuck in the store amid a harsh blizzard that has left more than 50 dead across the country.
At least seven of the employees in Cheektowaga offered to close their store to shelter around 24 motorists, according to a local news outlet.
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The workers, who were also stranded, handed out drinks from Starbucks, blankets, and heaters while providing the motorists with a place to rest.
“I got so emotional, I just sat down and started crying,” Jessica Sypniewski, one of the drivers, told the local outlet. “You never know. People could have died. I truly believe they saved lives.”
Sypniewski explained that other stores, including a local grocery store, had refused to take her in on Dec. 23 despite the blizzard’s conditions. But at Target, she was welcomed with cups of hot chocolate.
“They said, ‘Anything you need, it’s on us. … Just let us scan it first,’” she added.
The area driver also said she thinks the workers who went above and beyond deserve raises and bonuses.
“They deserve to be recognized. … They really deserve something for sticking through that entire situation with such a positive attitude,” Sypniewski said.
Another guest, Carla Rodrigues posted a series of videos to her TikTok of her experience. As of Tuesday afternoon, most of Rodrigues’s videos had more than a million views.
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One video, in particular, posted on Christmas Eve, came after she spent her first night in the store.
“The first night wasn’t bad,” the caption said, even as she lacked proper heat.
Rodrigues said she expected to be stuck there for at least another night as the harsh winter storm continued outside.
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“We are safe tho and people are warming up,” she wrote.
President Joe Biden approved a request on Tuesday from Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) to grant emergency federal assistance after the major winter storm brought blizzard conditions to the state.
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“I would like to thank President Biden for signing the emergency declaration,” Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said in a statement. “I would also like to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for the quick response and for her continued support with the recovery process.”
“This has been a very difficult and dangerous storm. Our crews are continuing their work to clear the streets and to assist residents,” he added.
