Colin Powers has made an impression on his co-workers, so they want to do something special to help celebrate his 21st birthday Wednesday. His celebration included a long parade of vehicles and his dream gift — an adult-sized tricycle.
Powers, who has Down syndrome, began his career at Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline last summer after the company partnered with Green River Area Down Syndrome Association. On Wednesday, he said his co-workers did a great job with his birthday celebration.
The organization ceased in-person operations in mid-March due to COVID-19, but Powers was still able to complete some elements of his job at home. This less-than-ideal situation, however, excluded his most notable asset — face-to-face interaction.
“I like working there a lot, the people are nice,” he said. “I definitely want to thank all the wonderful people at Southern Star.”
Fellow employees stated Powers had been reminding them of his birthday for months.
“He was telling anyone and everyone that would listen about his birthday,” said Josh Komarek, manager of Records and Information. “When we shifted to working remotely, there was hope that we would return by his birthday.”
The event was made possible by the collaborative efforts of Power’s parents, the staff at Southern Star, and Karen Goedde, who is the communications director but also serves as one of Powers’ mentors.
Nearly 60 vehicles participated in the parade that featured posters and bedsheets hanging out the window with birthday wishes. The staff also created a company cash pool to generate the funds needed to purchase him the tricycle and a helmet — which cost approximately $500.
“I sent an email out on Sunday and by Monday the fund had reached $1,100,” Komarek said. “He’s left an impression here and people were anxious to put something together that would make people happy.”
As Powers and his co-workers anxiously await their return to the office, you can find him riding his tricycle all over the neighborhood.
“Everyone misses his smile and his friendliness; he took an anonymous job and made it personal,” Komarek said.
