An Attitude of Gratitude ~ Meet Jim Justice
Jim Justice, sometimes called Big Jim stands 6-foot-7 and weighs …. well lets just say he is trying to lose weight! He is a 59-year-old billionaire, one of the wealthiest people in America, a West Virginia native who makes his money from corn, timber and coal.
When you see Jim Justice he is an enormous down to earth person, and loves West Virginia. He is owner and proprietor of The Greenbrier resort, in White Sulphur Springs. Jim Justice knew nothing about running a resort....so why did he buy the Greenbrier?
Justice grew up in nearby Raleigh County and had lived his entire life within 50 miles of the Greenbrier. Everyone new that the Greenbrier, owned by the CSX, was in bad shape and was going into bankruptcy. The Marriott Corporation was in the process of buying the resort. But Jim Justice wanted to help the residents and friends of Greenbrier County.
He says “The Greenbrier has been everything to the this rural area. It employs about 1,850 in a county of 35,000. Everybody has a family member or a friend who works there.”
"You could just see the community drying up," he said. "People's anxiety levels were off the charts." The Greenbrier is part of West Virginia’s history which he calls it “Our Emerald City.”
So, in May 2009, he bought the Greenbrier for $43 million....the vast hotel and spa, four golf courses and 500 upscale home lots. He brought back all 650 laid-off employees. He added vacation and health benefits to their contracts. I have heard Jim Justice say more than once ......”I knew I just couldn’t mess this up, (then smiling) all the employees know where I live.”
The story since then, of how a coal miner returned the legendary Greenbrier to near-profitability in 18 months, with record occupancy rates, a PGA golf tournament and a glitzy casino, is partly a story about daring, financial risk and business vision. But mostly, it's a story about one man and the area of Greenbrier County (known to most as Almost Heaven West Virginia) he calls home.
Jim Justice gives back to the community by....
- creating the Tribute to the Virginias special, with nightly rates of $59. The four weekends, which run through February, sold out in 48 hours in 2010. "I wanted to give people the opportunity to come stay here," says Justice. "I don't want them to think that it's some gated palace."
- He is the president of the local youth baseball league and coach of the girls' basketball team, Lady Spartans at Greenbrier East High School. He had a $300,000 parquet floor installed in the school gym.
- Each Christmas, he donned a custom-made Santa suit and took his helicopter to Crumpler, a town in McDowell County, where he delivered presents to impoverished children.
- A former Boy Scout, Justice recently gave $25 million to the Boy Scouts of America to support the creation of a 10,600 acre land reserve near his home in West Virginia.
And, Jim Justice continues each year with the following charitable initiatives. These events are so much fun and I am able to attend and write about them:
- Greenbrier Christmas Tree Lighting/Toys for Tots Donations
- Community Easter Fun Fest
- The Greenbrier Classic – millions to charities the past two years
- Donations of fresh vegetables from The Greenbrier Farm to local food banks
- Creating a Dream Tree for Kids, donating $1 million of toys and clothes to charities in December.
During the press conference for Creating a Dream Tree for Kids, Justice recalled when he started playing the role of Santa Claus. "I was asked by the minister of a church in Crumpler, WV, located in McDowell County to play Santa. I did not have a Santa suit and probably could not find one to fit me. The minister said he would find one. Since I didn't want a suit with tights or something unsuitable, I had a special Santa suit made for me."
"The night I played Santa, a little girl with pigtails and glasses was walking up to me and I was told that she had brain cancer and would be having surgery in two weeks. She got up on my lap and I asked her name. She said it was Snowflakes and wanted to tell me that she loved me and that I needed to be loved. How great is that! These kids have nothing...so for all the Snowflakes out there.... this tree is for you", said Justice. Since owning the Greenbrier, he continues to play Santa at the Greenbrier Christmas Tree Lighting/Toy for Tots donations.
Jim Justice was named West Virginian of the Year by the Gazette in 2009. West Virginia Universtiy named him Most Loyal West Virginian. He’s been recognized by Rotary clubs, the Education Alliance, Multiple Sclerosis Society, just to name a few.
The Greenbrier went from being owned by a big corporation for 100 years to being owned by one guy, and it's not just any guy; it's local guy makes good...... Jim Justice....A man with attitude of gratitude... A big man with a big heart that gives back to the community and does not hesitate to help when called upon.
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Your West Virginia Connection - If I can assist you in any way with your real estate needs in Lewisburg, WV Greenbrier County or the surrounding areas, please feel free to contact me by phone at (304) 520-2133, email or visit my website.
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If I can assist you in any way with your real estate needs in Lewisburg, WV Greenbrier County or the surrounding areas, please feel free to contact me by phone at (304) 520-2133, email or visit my website at www.lewisburgwvrealestate4you.com
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Rebecca - Every community needs a Jim Justice. What a great story of how he is giving back to your area.
Hi Rebecca, thank God we still have individuals like Jim in our great land...thanks for sharing.
Rebecca, thanks for telling the wonderful story of a generous man who has given back to his community 10 fold and then some...truly heart warming.
What an incredible story, and very well written too. Deserves a feature - flagging.
I second what Laura said...the world would be a better place if more Jim Justice's were in it. Enjoyed the read Rebecca.
Rebecca .....what a story ....I had no idea and we live so close. I would love to visit there sometime and play golf .....or just stay for the weekend and learn more about the history of this famous place. Thanks for the post!!
Have a great day!
You've done many posts about The Greenbriar, it's so wonderful to finally see the man that made it what it is today. Excellent post Rebecca, and kudos to Jim Justice!
How can you not love someone who steps up to the plate for his/her community?
Jim Justice sounds like a guy everyone would enjoy being around. A bigger than life character paying it back to his Greenbriar community. Excellent post.
A wonderful tribute to Jim Justice. He certainly has been a blessing for West Virginia.
Have an outstanding week and enjoy the season of Thanksgiving. Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments.
The Chrysanthemum Festival at Longwood Gardens always provides opportunities to enjoy and photograph the Autumn Flowers on display. Photograph by Dolores Kelley using a Canon PowerShot S90 Camera.
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
Rebecca, This is so inspiring. The world needs more people like Jim Justice. I believe people that acquire wealth the way he did, and who give back so much, begin a cycle that creates more wealth and more giving. He is truly a legend in the community!
Jim Justice needs to be cloned. What if every financially wealthy individual paid back in this manner? It sure would make for a brighter world for others. " A man with attitude and gratitude" makes a great man. Thanks for sharing the story with us Rebecca.
You know what a cry baby I am! Wiping the tears away and trying to type, AND give you a standing ovation at the same time. THIS post is a WINNER, hands down! SUGGESTED.
Rebecca,
Thank you for introducing us to a hero of your community. A
Hi Rebecca,
Your writeup is wonderful. I especially liked all the things Jim has done for the community.
Lisa
Rebecca, That is a great story, What A Man! Goes against the stereotype that some have created regarding those with wealth. Many of these individuals do so much, but it isn't reported because no one knows. We just had an individual in our city of Cincinnati that passed, Carl Lindner, a billionaire. It was amazing all the stories and the writeups about all the numerous things he had done for so many for such a long time. Yet, no one knew.
Thank you again, Scott
Thanks everyone for your very nice comments and all the ones who suggested this post...much appreciated.
If you want to visit the Greenbrrier now is the time with the Tribute to the Virginia Package Deal:
Package Dates:
Rebecca Jim Justice deserved a tribute written as beautifully as yours. It is refreshing to learn of someone who "made it" and used it to support the commun ity where he earned his fortune
Jim Justice has made his mark on West Virginia's state as a great man with forward thinking! He has done a great job with the Greenbrier and his continued service to the community!
Good afternoon Rebecca,
What a delightful post about a very remarkable man..Jim Justice. Jim certainly deserves this lovely tribute you created for him :).
Thanks Rebecca for sharing Jim Justice to everyone on AR. I certainly appreciate his generosity to your community, and what else can I say since I'm a golf fanatic... g
Hi Rebecca...this is an awesome human interest story. You Community is lucky to have the Man and his heart for giving. I hope your local press and community picked up on this blog. I can Tell you I would love to do the Same. I owned a medium sized Oil Company back in the early 90's we supplied all the Schools, Hospitals, Municipal buildings, etc. I loved donating and helping others...the Government stepped in and subsidized Natural Gas to undercut us and put us out of business...not funny it cost the Tax payers a million dollars a day. And our Community support without my business. Now I do what I can quietly as a Realtor.
I suggested you, but it maybe to late.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Rebecca, this is a great article. I can't wait to meet Mr. Justice. He just purchased the Anderson Circle Farm here in Mercer County, Kentucky and we all look forward to welcoming him to the nieghborhood. Thanks for you help in getting me his address so I can send some home tour vouchers to him and his family. Thanks again.
Jerry
Rebecca, great blog on Mr. Justice...he certainly helps the needed. I have suggested and will reblog.
That is an awesome stroy and really worth to be Thankful to have someone so selfless and putting others first. What a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca it was a pleasure reading and judging your post. Congratulations.
Very well written post and a clearly deserving winner. Thanks for telling the story of Jim Justce with such obvious love and affection for him and your community.
Howdy and afternoon Rebecca
Rebecca, my friend, Congrats on this here mighty fine blog post winning First Place! I sure don't know how I missed reading and leaving a comment, when you first posted it. Please forgive me for my oversight.
May each and every day bring you and your family many blessings!
Have a good one
Dale in New Hampshire
Rebecca I feel like I know Jim Justice. So beautiful...him and the lovely way you told his story. Thank you. I am inspired to find our local Jim Justices.
Wow what an amazing man with a big heart that's wide up. Truly the winner in the gratitude contest!
What a guy--he needs to be cloned over and over--every community needs citizens of his caliber.
We passed White Sulphur Springs and the Greenbrier each time we dropped off and picked-up our son from college at Virginia MIlitary Institute ... and even took a tour of the hotel and facility because of its' historic significance. What an amazingly beautiful place and surroundings and fascinating history. The Saving of the Greenbrier just adds to that history. Thanks for passing on this story and info ... and congratulations to Jim Justice and the entire White Sulphur Springs population for saving and keeping this unique property available for us to enjoy ...
Gene
It is so nice to hear about a rich guy looking out for those less fortunate. What a great story.
Gretchen
Rebecca- I have to say that I did not recognize you in your Christmas get up so as I was reading this great post, I kept thinking to myself... "Gee, Rebecca should have written this.. you're MS Greenbrier." And then I scrolled to the bottom and saw your name! Excellent information and just wish we'd able to se it when we were living in Leesburg.
Ps.... just realized Congratulations are in order!!!!
Rebecca ~ what a beautiful human being Jim justice is. We all could learn from him. Congratulations on winning the contest. But I think West Virginia is the real winner here!
Very inspirational post. Jim sounds like a true hero. He takes "love thy neighbor" to the extreme.
What a lovely story - very inspiring. Thank you for sharing. I would love to visit Greenbrier. Like Dawn (#36) says - we can all learn from Jim!
OH MY GOODNESS...I just logged onto my AR Blog and find that I won the contest.....my first! THanks so muchc to the judges and for all the wonderful comments.
WOW...and a feature!!!
As I was reading the information about all of the fabulous things that this billionaire has done for his community I could not help but remember that he is part of the 1% who are being vilified by those who call themselves the 99%.
He sounds like an amazing person. So glad we have people like this in the world. Thank you for the inspiring post!
Rebecca:
Jim Justice is a great philanthropist and your post has captured the essence of the man. Wonderful story. And what a touching and wonderfully written tribute to him.
Rebecca,
What a great story about Jim Justice and the GreenBriar. He appears to have the love of Christ in his spirit.
Love your neigbor as yourself.
Rebecca, congratulations on your winning post!! I so enjoyed reading about Jim Justice!!
Congratulations Rebecca - wonderful story about Jim Justice! We need more people like him in this world. He single handily changed your town for the better. No surprise this was one of the winning entries - number 1 in fact!
I want to meet this man just to give him a hug!
Hi Rebecca--what an amazing story about one very remarkable man. Every community needs just one person like that and we all need that spirit and dedication. Thanks for sharing this.
Rebecca, this is one of the most inspiring localism posts I have ever read. If we had more people like Jim Justice in the United States, this country would not be in such sad shape. Kudos to you and Jim in West Virginia!
Hi Rebecca,
What a charming post!
I read it all the way through.
It is giving in a very personal way.
'Thanks for sharing
Phil
What a nice story and inspires you to be a better human being. . congratulation on the win!
Rebecca, what a great story and tribute to Jim Justice who is giving back to the community.
Hi Rebecca, this is a great story on the spirit of generosity a true tribute to Mr. Jim Justice.
I had never heard of Jim Justice, but he sounds like an amazing man. When wealth is under attack it is refreshing to see that the problem in this country is not money; it is moral leadership. We have stopped teaching morals. Jim Justice seems like a man with his priorities straight.
This is a Great Story, Rebecca. Jim Justice certainly deserved to be West Virginian of the Year!
Thanks for sharing!
Bruce
Hello everyone, I just finished commenting to all the commenters on this post, and want to thank each and every one of you for your comments. I am sorry I just do not have the time right now to respond to each comment separate....again, thanks to all and the judges!!
Rebecca,
What an awesome tribute to a wonderful individual. Heartwarming indeed.
Rebecca- Congratulations on winning the contest. I did not see the post before about Big Jim so I had to read it. Wow, what an amazing man. We need more Jims! Could you do me one favor, and ask Jim to run for President.