Dec 4, 2014
ROCHESTER – The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) and Goodwill of the Finger Lakes announced their 6th Annual Spirit Award recipients at the organizations’ holiday party held at the Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside in early December.
Each year, ABVI and Goodwill employees are given the opportunity to nominate their co-workers for their unwavering commitment to the organizations’ values and mission. This year, 69 employees were nominated from the five operational areas – Administration, Contact Center, Manufacturing/Food Service, Retail, and Vision Rehabilitation. The Spirit Award recipients are then chosen from the nominations and are individuals who best exemplify behaviors that support the organizations' mission and values.
The 2014 Spirit Award recipients are:
Administration
Monika Robertson – Reporting & Compliance Manager, Finance
Monika Roberston was instrumental in leading the campaign of incorporating a fitness area at ABVI’s main campus, the GOOD HEALTH Corner. She kept costs down by asking a handful of employees if they would be willing to donate items to the new area. She was able to obtain an elliptical machine, treadmills, a water cooler, and several smaller exercise items. She was very proactive in securing a location, obtaining the equipment, and setting guidelines for employees in the GOOD HEALTH Corner. She has made great strides this year for improving employees’ overall health at ABVI’s main campus and has sufficiently contributed to the organizations' good health.
Contact Center
Bonnie Jo Warner – Information Specialist, EPA
Her nominators describe Bonnie Jo Warner as “a wonderful co-worker!” She contributes daily to an environment that values learning, caring, creativity, and fun. Bonnie always strives to fulfill her customers' needs in whatever Contact Center application she is working. With the Contact Center constantly shifting in contract responsibilities and priorities, Bonnie is a true asset to the team.
Manufacturing/Food Service
Bhabindra Ghimirey – Master Sewer, Manufacturing
Bhabindra Ghimirey is a hard worker, learning new jobs with ease. Apart from his actual job, Bhabindra readily assists co-workers without being asked, whether it is threading a co-worker's sewing machine, training a fellow employee, or repairing a team member's machine. He is always available when there is something new or challenging on the sewing floor and he treats everyone with respect.
Retail
Bobby Kyler – Operations Manager, Greece Goodwill Store
Bobby Kyler has been a reliable and flexible part of the retail management team for some time. He has received several compliments from customers about his customer service, stopping to answer a question or help find an item, while balancing multiple other priorities. As a manager, Bobby takes time to talk with each employee and get to know him or her. He is approachable and gives great guidance. He is a great model of what Goodwill is all about.
Vision Rehabilitation
Dr. Kathy White – Managing Director, Low Vision Services
Dr. White is the heart and soul of the Low Vision Center. Although she has been providing Low Vision evaluations and consultations for over three decades, Dr. White continually strives to keep her practice as current and relevant for each and every person she works with. Service excellence and continuous improvement are exactly how to describe her work on behalf of the individuals we serve.