When something unexpected happens, you find out what a company is really made of.
Last Friday’s tornado impacted our community in a way none of us will forget. For one of our own, Jon Kubitz, it meant losing everything. His home, his vehicles, his personal belongings. Gone in a matter of minutes.
Moments like this don’t come with a playbook. But they do reveal something more important.
They show who we are.
And what we’ve seen over the past several days is exactly what it means to be Imperial.
Before anything formal was put in place, people started stepping up.
Teammates reached out. Messages came in. Support showed up in ways both big and small. That kind of response doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from a culture built on looking out for each other.
Then the momentum started to build.
Through the GoFundMe and support from employees, friends, and the extended Imperial community, we’ve already raised $5,120. With the company match, we’ve reached our initial goal of $10,000.
That’s something to be proud of.
If there’s one thing this team understands, it’s that showing up once isn’t enough.
We keep going.
The GoFundMe will remain open through May 9, giving everyone more time to contribute or share the link with others who may want to help.
And on May 8, we’ll come together again at one of our favorite events of the year. The Imperial Bags Tournament at The Bar in Rothschild.
This year, it means a little more.
Along with the tournament, we’ll be hosting a raffle with 12–15 items, a 50/50 drawing, and additional ways to contribute, with 100% of proceeds going directly to Jon and his family.
A big thank you goes out to Bibs and the Schofield Lions for stepping in to help run the raffle and strengthen what’s already shaping up to be a great night for a great cause.
It’s easy to talk about culture. It’s harder to live it.
What we’ve seen this past week is not about policies or programs. It’s about people choosing to care. Choosing to step in. Choosing to take action when it matters.
That’s what makes this place different.
We take care of our own.
If you haven’t had a chance to contribute yet, there’s still time.
Every bit helps. Every share matters. Every action adds up.
This is a tough moment for someone in our Imperial family.
But it’s also a reminder of something bigger.
When it matters most, we show up.
This is what it means to be Imperial.