Employees of the Year Announced
The LaSalle Association for the Developmentally Delayed held their annual Christmas party Monday, December 4, in the fellowship hall of East Jena Baptist Church.
The annual event is a highlight for all clients, their parents/ guardians and family and many friends of LADD who attend the event.
Along with singing Christmas carols, led by Ron Carr and Anthony Jackson, the party included a delicious meal with the Jena High School Cheerleaders serving as hostesses and of course, the reading of the biblical Christmas story.
LADD Administrator Vicky Crooks presented special awards, including the most coveted awards of 2023 LADD Employees of the Year.
Chosen as the 2023 Employee of the Year for the Center and Store was Kenneth “Robbie” Howell.
“Robbie has been with LADD for 19 years and has become more independent in his job which entails placing the clothes on handers for retail sales in the LADD store – Clothesline & Cupboard,” Crooks said. “He places the clothes on the rack and cleans the store and main building to keep everything neat in appearance. He does not fuss or complain and is very good in trivia with older music – especially from the 1970’s.”
Chosen as the 2023 Employee of the Year for the Center and Mobile Crew was Morgan Scarbrough.
“Morgan has been with LADD for 22 years and works independently,” the Administrator said. “Her areas are always cleaned perfectly and if she is in doubt of anything, she will come to the Supervisor to get their attention to an area. She never ‘balks’ at a job and will do anything that is asked of her. She is very helpful to other clients in their jobs and supervisors depend upon her. Morgan has the thickest, fastest growing hair of any woman I have ever met and she has frequently donated her hair to Locks of Love, Pantene and most recently to a program called Children With Hair Loss. Morgan has a son, Matthew, who graduated from LaSalle High School.”
Chosen as the 2023 Employee of the Year for the Mobile Crew was Evelyn Walker.
“Evelyn has been with LADD for 11 years and is an asset at LADD,” Crooks stated. “She works independently on her jobs and nothing ever has to be redone. She works well with others and is very, very helpful to anyone that she sees needs a helping hand. If a supervisor is out and a sub is used, that supervisor can depend on Evelyn’s wisdom of that jobsite to make sure that everyone does their jobs. Aside from working at LADD, Evelyn has an independent job in the community working for Dollar Tree. Also, Evelyn takes care of her family which includes raising her grandchildren and for several years, she has planned a program to honor cancer survivors. As a cancer survivor myself, I am always touched by all the effort that she places in this program.”
Chosen as the 2023 Employee of the Year for the Mobile Crew and also the only client with perfect attendance for the entire year, was Bradley “Brad” Oswalt.
“Brad has been with LADD for 20 years and is a good worker on the mobile crew,” the Administrator said. “He stays in his assigned area until his job is complete. He never strays off task and listens to his supervisors and follows instructions. He gets along with others and listens inventively to his peers. When Brad has something to say, it’s almost like the old ‘EF Hutton” commercials, everyone listens. He is also very good at any type of sports trivia…and don’t get him started on playing tennis. The next thing you know, you’ll be at the tennis courts with him. If you do ever get a chance to play with him, you will see firsthand what a patient teacher he is to others. And last, but not at all the least, I know for a fact that if Brad could do anything different in his job, it would be to come to work after 11 a.m.”
Congratulations to all LADD clients for a great and successful year.
