The Peru Gazette

Posted October 20, 2008 by John T. Ryan

The subjects of this story didn’t want their picture taken. Al Brault said, “Dawn and I are quiet people. We work behind the scenes.” Brault was holding a long, hand-written shopping list. Several times each apple picking season Al and Dawn Brault travel from their Brand Hollow Road home to the Forrence Orchard worker housing on the Mannix Road where they gather orders from dozens of Jamaican workers for items the men would like to ship home to their family and friends. The Braults take the orders to Sam’s Club in Plattsburgh where they purchase and pack the merchandise. Then they return to Peru, take out their long order list and patiently distribute the items to each man.

Dawn Brault explained that about fifteen years ago she received a phone call from Virgil Forrence who said the Jamaican men wanted Avon products to bring home to their wives. Dawn is an Avon dealer so she responded to Virgil’s request, but it wasn’t long before Dawn and Al learned that the Jamaican workers needed more items and the shopping trips began. Peanuts, cashews, Colgate toothpaste, Advil and coffee are the most popular items. When the apple harvest season comes to an end the workers stuff the items into large drums for shipment back home. One worker said, “The Irish Spring is a gift to my wife.”

Al and Dawn Brault are on a first name basis with almost all the Jamaican workers some of whom they’ve known since that first Avon delivery. Dawn explained, “These are wonderful, happy people. It’s a joy to be around them.” Based on the smiles, humor and goodwill that abound around the Brault’s car it’s obvious that the Jamaicans feel likewise. The Braults may be “quiet” people, but their impact on these visitors to our area rings out in loud, clear, beautiful tones.