Tuesday's Internet Edition, September 07, 2010.
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| Marlene Toleafoa, who owns All American Appliance in Copperas Cove with her husband Mike, has shown her support of the military by giving a ride to the wife of a soldier. – Photo by KRISTAN HALL |
News editor - Editor’s note: This is a series of articles on how the Copperas Cove community is helping the military community during the war in Iraq.
Mike and Marlene Toleafoa believe in supporting the military and prove their support with their actions.
Two weeks ago, the Toleafoas, who own All American Appliance, received a phone call from Sharon Long. Long said she asked if they carried refrigerators in their store. When Long got an affirmative answer, she began to arrange a time to go in to look their selection.
However, Long’s plan was derailed when she remembered that her husband had their only car and was on Fort Hood preparing for deployment. Long said when she told Marlene Toleafoa her problem, the store owner said, “Call us when you are ready to come look at our refrigerators and we will pick you up.”
Long, whose fridge was leaking water all over her kitchen floor, called the Toleafoas back and they picked her, drove her to the store, helped her select a used refrigerator and drove her back home.
Long said their generosity didn’t stop their. Long was trying to find some furniture for her living and responded to a newspaper ad. In the course of speaking to the woman who was selling the furniture, Long said she found that the woman was looking for a used refrigerator.
Long told her about All American Appliances. Long said the woman, whose husband is in the military, was able to afford the appliance because the Toleafoas allowed her to pre-date a check, a service they only offer to military personnel.
Long ended up buying the woman’s furniture and again turned to the Toleafoes for assistance. She asked the store owners if they would mind picking up the furniture for her when they delivered the woman’s fridge. They agreed to do so.
Long said,” They were very kind.”
The Toleafoes are former military themselves, retiring to Cove by choice. Said Marlene, “We were never stationed here, but when Mike retired, we picked Texas because it’s nice and warm. We bought a house in this area because we had friends here.”
They have been in business for 10 years and are now located at 120 E. Avenue D in Copperas Cove.