A Jimmy John's driver in Columbus, Neb., transported a local veteran to the emergency room Oct. 20, after the fast food restaurant received a call from the veteran's sister, who thought she was speaking to a social worker, according to the Omaha World-Herald.
Greg Holmen, a veteran living on disability, suffered complications from spinal fusion surgery Oct. 20. His incision site oozed blood and pus and his left leg went numb. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs did not approve Mr. Holmen to take an ambulance to the hospital, and he could not afford a taxi, so he called his sister in Florida. Lisa Nagengast, Mr. Holmen's sister, called a number thinking it was her brother's social worker.
Ms. Nagengast actually called the Columbus-based Jimmy Johns and spoke to Jason Voss, the store's manager.
"She was a little panicky," he told the Omaha World-Herald. "At that point, I figured I should take a minute to think about it — it was obviously not someone making something up, it was an actual situation going on."
Mr. Voss was unable to leave the restaurant, so he asked Zach Hillmer, a driver at the Jimmy John's location and a veteran himself, to take Mr. Holmen to the emergency room.
"There is always time for people, especially people in need," Mr. Voss told the Omaha World-Herald. "I had the resources, I had drivers, we weren't super busy with deliveries, either. Zach was glad to help someone out."
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