MCADENVILLE, N.C. — As more businesses are bringing back employees, one group is thrilled to work in person and spread cheer in their community.

Holy Angels, a nonprofit organization providing services and programs to people with special needs, employs 30 adults with special needs at its four businesses in Gaston County. These employees are known as "the crew."

What You Need To Know

  • Pandemic prevented employees with special needs known as "the crew" to work in person

  • Customers and co-workers are happy to have them back

  • Thirty of them started returning to work once vaccines became readily available

“They bring a lot of joy and enthusiasm and a great attitude to the place but I think more importantly, they really contribute,” Holy Angels President and CEO Regina Moody said.

The pandemic prevented crew members to work in person for 14 months.

 “Our crew all have intellectual disabilities, and as a result, have some other needs medically,” Moody said.

Now that vaccines are readily available, the crew is back but fewer of them are working at the same time. Amy Fredette, who works at Spruce Goose Station cafe in McAdenville and sells her art at Bliss Gallery in Belmont, missed working in person.

She’s glad to be back interacting with customers whom she considers friends.

“Because they are nice and I love them,” Fredette said.

Their co-workers and the customers missed them too.

“They’re great. They’re awesome. They take good care of us,” customer Betty Davenport said.

According to Holy Angels, their 30 crew members have returned to work. Holy Angels has two cafes, a candy story and a gallery in Gaston County.