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Show Marlis Freeman sits and chats with a new resident of North Sevier. In her Welcome Wagon basket are gifts, By John C. Speer Associate Editor If you have just moved into the community, don't be surprised if someone comes knocking on your door soon. It most likely will be a pleasant looking woman with a basket on her arm and a smile on her face. She'll probably introduce herself and say, "I'm tetters, maps, postcards and other items from the local businesses and town leaders. New Move-Ins Get Gifts and Commercials From Neighborhood Welcome Wagon Hostess from Welcome Wagon. I've heard that you just recently moved into our community. If you have a few minutes I have some gifts and messages from our local businesses." Marlis Freeman is the Welcome Wagon Hostess in North Sevier. She said the above greeting is very close to what she says to the new move-ins. Mrs. Freeman celebrated her-first full year as Welcome Wagon, International hostess last week and says that although she makes little money performing her serivce, she loves meeting the new people and helping them become familiar with their new surroundings. Mrs. Freeman knows what it's like to be a "new move-in." rShe uprooted herself from a heavily populated West German industrial community fourteen years ago to come to Aurora and marry Kent Freeman. She finds out who her new "neighbors" are in myraids of ways including the local columns in The Salina Sun, (Continued on Page 8) New Move-Ins Get Gifts and Commercials (Continued from Page 1) neighbors calling her and observation. She found out about the North Sevier hostess position being open by reading a Welcome Wagon classified in the 1 newspaper. That was in April, i 1980. She finally was able to ' secure an interview with the regional WW director and was told she needed to get 10 businesses to sponsor the effort. By the beginning of February, 1981, she had 11 sponsors. She currently has 18 businesses in Salina, one in Redmond and one in Aurora who give gifts and messages to the new move-ins in the area. Each business also is assessed a small fee for every new family Mrs. Freeman talks to. Welcome Wagon keeps 6 percent of the fee and Mrs. Freeman is given 40 percent. Mrs. Freeman says however, that her 40 percent is usually eaten up in expenses such as gasoline, etc. but adds she doesn't mind. Besides the commercials and gifts, Mrs. Freeman also presents letters of welcome from the town mayors, maps of the surrounding area and other civic items. The obvious hoped-for benefit to the sponsors is that the recent move-ins will come to their places of business, accept their gift and get "hooked" on the fine service or product. Salina businessmen have given such gifts and services as a free haircut, free hamburger and drink, measuring spoons, a key, calendar and car trash bag. The most impressive gift is from a local restaurant who. gives a free breakfast to every member of the family. Mrs. Freeman said the businesses and Welcome Wagon are not allowed to pressure the receiver of the gift in any way. The businesses cannot attach any conditions on the gift such as "buy one, get one free." Businesses usually know who the hostess has visited and expect to be visited shortly afterward. Welcome Wagon, International Inc. has been around for more than 50 years. It is classif-ed as as non-profit organization. National headquarters are in Memphis, Tenn. |