Every once in a while, a story comes along that reminds us why we do what we do, and this one warmed all our hearts.
When six-year-old Ezra told his mom he wanted to be a TECO lineworker for Halloween, he meant business. Inspired by the brave crews he saw working during last year’s storms, Ezra set out to look “just like the real deal.” His mom, Lauren, reached out hoping to find a few stickers to make his costume more authentic. What she didn’t expect was the surprise that followed.
The very next morning, a Tampa Electric bucket truck rolled up to Ezra’s elementary school - not for a repair call, but for a special delivery. Our own lineworkers Chris Rodriguez and Chris Clark, Western Service Area Distribution & Ops Manager, Tony Faison, joined by VP of Customer Experience, Karen Sparkman, stopped by to make Ezra’s dream come true.
The team came bearing a goody bag full of TECO treats and real safety gear, such as gloves, a vest and a hard hat just for him. Without hesitation, Ezra suited up on the spot, proudly donning his official TECO gear while grinning from ear to ear!
But the surprise didn’t stop there! Ezra even got a safe sneak peek into the bucket, a moment every aspiring lineworker dreams of. With the team’s help, he experienced what it feels like to be up close to the real tools of the trade. When asked what he thought was the coolest part of a lineworker’s job, Ezra didn’t hesitate:
“Getting up high in the sky!” he said with the biggest smile.
With his new hard hat shining and his safety vest zipped, Ezra officially became an honorary member of the TECO lineworker family.
Karen Sparkman shared, “Little moments like these mean so much. Ezra’s excitement reminds us of the impact our teams have in the community — especially on the next generation watching us.”
From everyone at Tampa Electric, we’re proud to welcome Ezra to the family and can’t wait to see him show off his new look this Halloween. Who knows — maybe one day we’ll see him in a real TECO bucket truck!
