Free Call Sparks Family Reunion Dakotah Direct Picks Up The Tab For Seniors’ Long-Distance Calls
A free 15-minute phone call Saturday gave Bruce and Jane Knutson a chance to reach out and touch their newest grandchild this holiday season.
The Knutsons weren’t planning to travel this Christmas. They’d opted to stay in their Airway Heights home and spend the holidays alone, far from their six children and three grandchildren who are scattered across the country from Florida to Hawaii.
Plans changed on Saturday when the Knutsons took advantage of a telemarketing company’s offer to senior citizens of two free 15-minute phone calls anywhere in the country.
“We just spent Christmas with the newest grandbaby,” Jane Knutson said, hanging up from a call to her son Randall in Nampa, Idaho. Bruce Knutson whipped out his wallet to show pictures of his smiling grandson to employees of Dakotah Direct, a national company whose headquarters is in Spokane’s Bon Marche building.
On Tuesday, the Knutsons will head to Nampa, which is near Boise, to see two of their four sons and their newest grandchild, 1-year-old Andrew.
“We wouldn’t have been going there unless we called,” said Jane Knutson. “We wouldn’t have gotten together with any of the kids or the grandkids.”
When the Knutsons sat down at the phone in the cubicle-filled room, they donned headsets and opened their address book. The first free call went out to their son Ronald in Florida, who passed the phone to his two children.
Next, the Knutsons dialed Hawaii and left a message on their daughter’s answering machine. Dakotah Direct allowed them another call because they didn’t talk to their daughter, so they called their son Randall in Nampa and immediately made plans to visit.
“I’m supposed to tell you bye and we’ll see you Tuesday,” said Bruce Knutson, hanging up after talking to his son.
Though enormously successful for the Knutsons, Dakotah Direct’s day of free phone calls for senior citizens was not a huge hit. Despite an extensive flier campaign and invitations distributed at retirement homes, only 24 seniors showed up to claim the prize. Company officials were not swayed and plan to make changes and continue the promotion every year.
“I think next year if we do it earlier, we’ll have a better turnout,” said Connie Schweiger, manager of systems support.
Still, the free calls were invaluable. Molly Doyle got a chance to wish her sister in Seattle a happy birthday and a merry Christmas. The second call went to her daughter, who also lives in Seattle.
“I’m really grateful for it,” Doyle said. “It’s fun to come down here and be able to talk for 15 minutes on their nickel.”
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