Local Resident Mark Munroe Lives, Works and Plays Wholeheartedly

Writer / Melissa Gibson
Photography Provided

If you’ve ever noticed a quiet young man at the Kroger in Avon bagging your groceries, pulling in carts from the parking lot, or offering to help carry your items to your car, you may have met Mark Munroe.

He’s been working at Kroger for the past 17 years as a front-end courtesy clerk, and loves helping others.

For Mark and his family, finding a community of support, employment and extracurricular activities can be challenging at times.

“We moved to Hendricks County in 2004 and after Mark graduated from Brownsburg High School, he began working at Kroger,” says Mark’s mother, Carolyn. “I really like Sycamore Services. They are there for you and answered all of our questions. They talked to Mark about what he might like to do.”

Sycamore Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including employment opportunities.

The program pairs job coaches with individuals with special needs like Mark who are looking for employment. The coach walks alongside the employee, helping meet the needs of both the employer and the employee.

According to Mark’s job coach, Lee Wilhite, Mark initially did some trial work at Walgreens and Arby’s, and immediately demonstrated strong work ethic. The job at Kroger seemed to be the perfect fit.

“The Kroger company has been one of the many highly valued partnerships Sycamore has in employing our clients with developmental disabilities,” Wilhite says. “We have more than just a few clients currently working in a number of their Hendricks County stores.”

Mark works four days per week and says his favorite task is bagging groceries. It allows him to interact with co-workers and customers alike.

“I know a lot of people there and they’re nice,” he says. “My boss is really nice and I help people with the heavy stuff. The holidays are busy. I’ve been bringing a lot of heavy turkeys out to the customers’ cars.”

The staff loves Mark, and the contribution he makes to the company and staff morale is unmatched.

“Mark is phenomenal,” says Barb Beckham, front-end department manager. “He’s my go-to person when I need something done. I know he puts 100% into whatever it is without complaining, and I think everyone in the store would tell you he’s a joy to be around.”

The love between the employees and Mark is evident in the way they consistently try to brighten each other’s day.

He brings in treats for the break room on occasion, and the staff members treat him with the same kindness.

“Mark’s grandma passed away in early November and Mark told the people at Kroger,” Carolyn says. “He was doing OK, but one day he brought home a card that was just filled with signatures. They do things like that all the time. Someone even called and checked on him and the family. We couldn’t find a better place.”

Mark has a long history of defeating the odds, persevering, and showing up for others when they’ve needed a friend.

He was born with a club foot and had his first surgery at three and a half years old. Years of surgeries and therapies followed, but when Mark went in for another surgery at 14, what might have been a routine procedure became a scary situation.

“The anesthesiologist came out to talk to us, and said Mark had developed a very serious condition due to the anesthesia,” Carolyn says. “He ended up in pediatric critical care for five days. He had all these needles and a breathing machine, but he was a trooper. The entire time he was just worried about getting back to being healthy.”

The friendships he’s formed with the staff at Kroger extend to the community as well. Mark is a Special Olympics athlete, participating in track, basketball, bocce and equestrian throughout the year.

Most recently, the Munroe Clan, a Special Olympics unified bowling team made up of Mark, his parents and his brother, Jeff, made it to the state competition.

“We were very excited,” Carolyn says. “We always do great at the practice but not very well in competition. For whatever reason, this year we did really well and that’s been fun.”

In addition, Mark participates in other Sycamore Services programs such as group social outings each week. The outings allow participants to create social opportunities, independence and fun.

“We go bowling and out to lunch, or sometimes we go to a museum,” Mark says.

If not working at Kroger or out with his social group, Mark enjoys helping around the house and hanging out with family.

“I like to mow the yard and I like to watch comedies,” he says. “My favorite is ‘Blazing Saddles.’ I like to help my mom and help other people if they are feeling bad or sad.”

Mark’s mom can attest to his sensitive and empathetic nature.

“Mark is a very sweet, nurturing and caring person,” Carolyn says. “When I’m upset, he will not leave my side. He’s just there for people.”

And many others have noticed.

At a special-needs camp, he received a certificate for being caring and nurturing when his camp counselor expressed a fear of clowns. His empathetic nature helped the counselor, and in his typical fashion, he made others in his group feel better.

He has no plans to leave Kroger. The friendships, co-workers and partnerships make it a home away from home.

“He always has a smile for me,” Beckham says. “He shows up for work on time and goes above and beyond, but that very quiet and humble demeanor, that’s just Mark. He gets along with everyone and is always willing to jump in and take care of what is needed.”