Street Talk: Road less traveled

Valued service

West Michigan Works! last month recognized 10 area service workers with the 2019 Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Awards.

Honorees are “hardworking individuals in service positions who go above and beyond,” and they “display pride in their job, a positive attitude, a strong work ethic and habits, punctuality and complete work on time,” according to the agency.

Employers and community members submit nominations. A committee of the West Michigan Works! Development Board chooses the winners.

The honorees were recognized at The Economic Club of Grand Rapids’ January meeting at the JW Marriott and were each given a $100 Meijer gift card.

“These 10 hardworking individuals perform their jobs with passion and enthusiasm, improving the lives of the people around them, one interaction at a time,” said Mark Bergsma, chair of the West Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board. “Many of these workers are on the front line or behind the scenes. However, their contributions allow our community and economy to thrive and they deserve to be celebrated.”

Essential Service Awards categories include hospitality, retail, health care, transportation, government, food service, general labor, child care, nonprofit and custodial, housekeeping and groundskeeper.

The honorees:

Mitch Adams, lead teacher, All for Kids CDC

James Greenland, cook, Spectrum Health

Anna Coronado, laundry/public area/inspector, Hampton Inn Holland

Amelia Lopez, community health worker, Health Net of West Michigan

David DeLeon, bus driver chauffeur II, Hope Network Transportation

Vickie Rick, salesclerk, Fabulous Finds

Ruth Evitts, laundry, Metron of Belding

Amber Garner, materials management/customer service, Michigan Spring and Stamping

Fernando Villagomez, lead operator, Nova Steel USA

https://www.grbj.com/articles/95361-street-talk-road-less-traveled