Handing out the first slice of American Pie, we chose to give the first piece to someone that has the most incredible work ethic we’ve ever seen. Meet Thinh, our local Home Depot guy, who has what it takes to live the American dream. He’s loyal, honorable, and works hard for his company and for his Family. He truly represents the fabric of what this country is made of ~ dedication, loyalty, integrity, and good ol’ hard work.
Yet, some people make him feel less than that because he doesn’t have the all American look. He has to work twice as hard to be the American he already is, but he does with a smile anyway. All while redeeming the face of corporate America because he tells how wonderful it is to be a part of such a great company who he loves and loves him back.
We teared up while doing this interview and noticed that he fought back tears of his own as his hard work was being rewarded all because someone bought a photograph from us which in turn bought him a piece of American pie. We teared up after leaving, during editing, and watching the final video. This is more than American pie, this is Americana the way it should be. Authentic, loving, and totally Thinh.
AWESOME! Can’t wait to see some more of that good ole American pie. What a beautiful idea for a family project. This was very well put together. Thank you. 🙂
Pura Vida!
Danni
Thank you! This one meant a lot to us. We couldn’t be more happy with how this video turned out and who we got to give the first piece to. Thank you for watching!
You guys are so inspirational. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I respect your entire family. You guys have opened up my eyes to so much, even if you don’t realize that. I am so happy to see you guys bring happiness to others and for yourselves. You are such a blessing in my life. This is such a wonderful thing y’all are doing, and I thank you for everything you’ve ever done for anyone in this world.
I love you guys so much.
Thank you so much! We’re in this world together and we love the friends that we get to make along the way. Getting to share the people of the world, well there is no better way of life. Other than the having the people who love and listen. Thank you for your response. We love you right back with all that we are and all that we have!
Beautiful.
Thinh INSPIRES ME!!~
what a PERFECT recipient for that FIRST piece of pie!!
an to know a U.S Soldier was behind that first piece really bring Thinh’s families story FULL CIRCLE!!!~
AMAZING!!!!~
Thank you! It inspires us greatly! We had a great time with Thinh and his manager who treated us wonderfully and allowed us to do this video project with them. Especially since we just walked in and hoped they would work with us. We believe the purchaser of the pie is a soldier or in the military at some level, because of his address. We don’t know anything about him, but are grateful he found this project and rewarded someone else for their contribution as well! Thanks for being willing to reward Thinh by sending the corporate office some love on his behalf! How awesome is that!
What an amazing idea of a project!
And to think, in less than 12 minutes you have brought such positivity to so many people’s lives. You capture Thinh’s spirit so well.
I feel so honored to be related to Thinh!
I love it that you are doing this project as a family.
Please look me up when you are in Portland, as I would love to offer you a slice of my own apple pie!
–From Portland with love–
Thank you kindly! We are so thankful to know Thinh and his impeccable character. We love him and have had a real fun time getting to know him. His interview was amazing and his energy that of someone who is extraordinary. Thank you so much for taking the time to write us and invite us to your home! You can count on that when we make it your way, we’re gonna take you up on your wonderful offer!
Thanks from all of us!
I have known my uncle for my whole life and still know him to be a great and very nice, hardworking person. Sadly though, there has been some conflicts with him and my parents about our bikes so we have been out of touch. Hopefully if any of you are reading this try to make it work. You are all great people and sophisticated adults. All in all though I certainly don’t mean to be condescending to any of you and you all have my respect!
You couldn’t have given this to a nicer guy! Thinh is my brother-in-law, and he always goes the extra yard to help people, whether or not they show their appreciation.
You were right to recognize Thinh as one of those people who really contributes to our country.
I’m honored to be in the same family as him.
John Gallup
Thank you! He is a really a great guy and we all appreciate his hard work. It’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before. He just makes people smile. People are happy to be around him and boy is he good at making you laugh! We love him tons and will always find him whenever we go to Home Depot!
Hello everyone,
I just saw the video interview that the BNF family interviewed Thinh at his place of work in Home Dept Issaquah. As his brother, I am very proud of Thinh being chosen as the FIRST receiver of the American Pie Award. The BNF made a perfect choice in selecting Thinh as their first American Pie’s awardee.
Thinh is so deserving of that award, much more than anyone else! His big heart is so obvious and his knowledge about his HD products is wide and deep. I was moved to tears seeing him answering the interviewers, seeing him talking about ‘Not Having the All-American Look’ and working much harder than others to get where he is.
Like many of you, Thinh’s beloved customers, I have first hand knowledge of his kindness and HUGE generosity, times and times again over the years. Thinh does not have much and by no means is rich, but he is so rich in his heart, in his kindness, and his care for others. Even though Thinh is not very proficient with words, his true heart always shows through and reaches others at a deeper levels.
What amazing about Thinh is that he readily offers help to others who he THINKS are in need. It is his nature that he doesn’t wait for people to ask him for help. It is the difference between having a BIG heart, having a heart, and having no heart! It is the difference between Thinh and many others. His natural love to help others is the ultimate gifted trait that a great sale person would wish to have.
I wish Thinh the best. I hope this recognition is just the beginning and he will get noticed more and more at work, and by the corporate leaders. He has many other skills that would serve the company well!
I wish the BNF folks continuing happiness and success on finding your own paths through life. I thank you for finding Thinh and showing him to the public.
Sincerely,
Long Nguyen
_______________________
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.
-Gautama Siddartha, 563-483 B.C
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
– Lao Tzu
WOW, you can’t find a better person to offer your first piece of the American Pie than Thinh. It is such a privilege for me to be his sister and I am very proud of him.
Yes, Thinh is truly a hard working guy. He keeps himself busy and yet he is always able to find time to help others. It is the same at home when us siblings were young, or at his own home now with his wife and two lovely daughters. When he comes to visit you, you can count on him be ready to roll up his sleeves for whatever tasks needed to be done. Thinh is the man you can count on WITHOUT being asked. I am so GLAD that he is acknowledged publicly for his strong work ethic and BIG heart.
Thinh’s work ethic and loyalty are incomparable. Even though we live in California, we talk weekly on the phone. Think makes sure we shop at Home Depot when we need to replace any household or kitchen items, big or small. Two weeks ago, our Neptune Maytag washer broke. We did a thorough research and found a LG machine on sale at Orchard Supply Hardware and were about to purchase it. Thinh told me about Home Depot’s price guarantee and persuaded us to give HD a chance to match the price. He even said they may even give 10% more off the matching price. We did not get the 10% below the matching price but did buy the LG machine at Home Depot Bollinger in San Jose, California as we want to support our brother’s employer. So it is Thinh who actually made this sale for Home Depot in his own time from his own home in Issaquah.
Thinh is an all American guy with a high moral work ethic personally and professionally. We LOVE him.
Oops, please sign the comments as “Minh Nguyen-Christensen.
You have done a great deed. Give attentions to the doer whose work might have been taking for granted! Best of luck,
Oops, please sign the comments as “D’Arcy and Minh Christensen.”
You have done a great deed. Give attentions to the doer whose work might have been taking for granted! Best of luck,
Because we live on the east coast, it’s been a long time since we have seen Thinh. Your experience at Home Depot, forwarded to us by John, shows you have not changed. We are very happy that your friendliness, kindness and good work ethic continue, and have had much deserved recognition from BNF and your boss at Home Depot.
Congratulations
Love the concept! You are setting a great example by recognizing the goodness of people.
I had the very good fortune to meet Thinh at Home Depot the other day. I was told something could not be done (by another sales assoc. but Thinh found a work-around that cut hours off my day and saved me a fistful of cash. While he was helping me, we somehow got on the subject of family. And he suggested I check out your website. Glad I did. I love what you’re doing. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Peggy! Glad you found the site and met Thinh. He’s pretty amazing and helped us many times the same. All our best. -bnf
I met Thinh today at Home Depot by accident. It is, sadly, strange to encounter someone so passionate about their work these days. Glad to see that I am not the only one who has noticed his incredible warmth of spirit and heart…and has been moved by it.
Thank you for posting this. Your family and Thinh offer all of us a glimpse into what every one of us should endeavor to be. No matter what our race, creed, or nationality may be, in the end, we are all human beings. Here’s to the human experience…and your continued adventures in it!
Thanks Todd! He’s a pretty amazing guy – glad to hear from you.
Thinh has great patience to help me find something I need even it’s a small piece of string or washer. His service is excellent to me. He makes his customer feel like a friend and like to come back for shopping again.
I think he is a plus for Home Depot.
Frank
Thinh is an awesome person…he helped us a lot with all plumbing requirements… he was very generous and very knowledgeable…at his place of work in Home Dept Issaquah. It was a great experience sharing my requirements and then Thinh helping us with all the possible options and recommending the best option. I will do more visits Home Depot in Issaquah and still gain his help.
Thinh, thanks for your great help on Monday, I appreciate all your helpful insights on all products. Keep up the good work, I definitely will be back to look you up when I’m in the store.
After a couple of recent visits to the Home Depot in Issaquah, WA, where Thinh Nguyen helped my wife and me, I definitely agree 100% that Thinh is uniquely customer and service oriented with a genuine professional attitude. Thinh demonstrated in-depth product knowledge, gave us helpful advice with refreshing energy and enthusiasm; and in addition he was sincerely friendly. He even loaded our items into our vehicle. The Home Depot is lucky to have him and we look forward to meeting him again during our next visit to the Home Depot.
Today we met Thinh Nyugen at the Issaquah WA Home Depot and were impressed with his knowledge, willingness to educate us about hot water heaters. One can tell that Thinh is a special person which people know within 5 minutes after meeting him. He has an incredible work ethic, adesire to help you figure out what you need and, in general, he treats people with a high level of customer service. He also works to educate his customers. Not something you see every day!
If I had someone like Thinh working at my company, I would ensure he had opportunities to advance in the organization and spread his “secret sauce”.