Neighbors rally behind store manager who walked miles in snow

Stories of neighbors helping neighbors have been the best thing to come out of the weather events we all experienced in February. And Dripping Springs isn’t done yet. Just last week, residents were able to thank a CVS Pharmacy employee in a huge way-with enough monetary donations to buy a car.

Meet Randall Holahan, a store manager-intraining, according to CVS’ corporate website. He’s also a certified immunizer and Army veteran. Holahan volunteered to spend the week away from his family (he lives in Austin) during the storm to support the COVID vaccination clinic at the CVS Dripping Springs Pharmacy location. He also ran the front store – some days he was the only person who could make it in, and often he was on foot.

Residents who began to brave the roads, around February 17, noticed a man walking through the snow down Highway 290 East. “We went out walking the other day taking pictures of the snow and saw this gentleman walk by,” Shanna McIntire said. “It was Randall, opening CVS at 7:45 a.m., as he has been every morning this week. He knew we were all in need of food, water, batteries and other essentials, and he answered the call. He does not live in Dripping Springs. He was staying at the Sleep Inn and walking three miles to work during freezing temperatures, and through snow and ice. Today, [Feb. 19] we met him at his hotel to give him a ride and share our gratitude.”

Soon the news of Holahan made its way to social media. Many residents wished to donate food or funds or rides to show their gratitude, and Julie LaChance felt so compelled by his story, she took charge and started a thank you fund. After a few days of collecting, the donations surpassed what she thought was possible. Now it was time to deliver the appreciation gift.

“When my husband and I walked in, we saw that the store had made a large Thank You sign and placed it right in the front for everyone to see,” LaChance wrote in a Facebook post. “It was awesome! His district manager, along with the store manager, were there. When Randall opened the card and saw everyone's name that was a part of this, he was moved. He couldn't believe how many names were on that paper. He told me that during the storm, he saw so many people helping each other out here in our community. He mentioned those who gave him a ride to work, the people who came by the store and shoveled the snow and put out sand, and the owner of Sleep Inn who was so kind. When I gave him the envelope, and he opened it, he just shook his head. He said that it was not necessary, but I told him that it was… Not only because he had walked to the store to make sure it was open, but for being such a kind and positive person to everyone who came during the storm. He looked up and said, "This could not have come at a better time." I asked him why, and he told me that a few years ago he had sold his vehicle. He had been using public transportation and his bicycle to get work and around town. He said that he just recently got this job, and he has been trying to figure out how he was going to get a vehicle. He has been using Uber to get from job to job. I literally had to hold back my tears. This incredible donation is going to help him get the vehicle that he needs!”

A few days later LaChance received a text from Holahan with another note of thanks and a photo of the car he was able to get thanks to the generosity of Dripping Springs. “I can’t say thank you enough,” the text read. “This has been a true blessing… I have been without a car for four years, and it was working out great. But in my new role with CVS, I needed to get one again… Thank you for all you did to make me feel welcome in your community, and thank you so much for your generosity and helping me to get on the road again.”

“You never know what problem someone is facing,” said LaChance. “This goes to prove that doing something out of kindness for another is always worth it. The act of generosity is always deserving to someone who cares for others. It has brought me so much joy to see our community come together and to know that this has made a difference in someone's life.”