It's time to submit nominations for this year’s Bev Drake Essential Service Awards at West Michigan Works! Nominations are open now at westmiworks.org/ESA and the deadline to submit is at the end of the month – September 30, 2024.
Once winners are chosen, awardees are celebrated at their work, given a $50 gift card, and then formally given their award at an Econ Club of Grand Rapids Luncheon in February.
We rarely take time to pause and truly appreciate someone for their work, and these awards give everyone the chance to think of those filling essential roles in our communities and to say, “thank you.” The people we encounter throughout our day have the ability to improve our lives one interaction at a time. Their jobs are essential to West Michigan. Each day these individuals, whether on the front line or behind the scenes, complete tasks that allow our economy to thrive. From maintenance to a bus driver, or from childcare to elder care, anyone can be nominated for a Bev Drake Essential Service Award, as long as they are not a supervisor or manager.
There are 11 different categories for the awards.
• Administrative/Office/Nonprofit: Receptionist, case aide, data entry, billing
• Cleaning/Housekeeping/Groundskeeping/Maintenance: Custodian, maintenance, housekeeper, dry cleaner/launderer
• Childcare: Teacher aide, in-home daycare, school program staff
• Food Service: Server, busser, dishwasher, counter staff, cook
• Government: Clerk, customer service, support staff
• Health Care/Elder Care: Nurses aide, lab support, patient transport
• Hospitality: Desk clerk, ticket taker, parking attendant, bellhop
• Retail: Clerk, cashier, stockroom worker, customer service
• Skilled Labor: Manufacturing, construction, agricultural
• Transportation: Bus, shuttle and taxi driver, baggage handler
Nominations will be accepted through September 30. Visit www.westmiworks.org/ESA.
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