CHEER honors personal assistance workers
CHEER Inc. recently honored its Personal Assistance Services Agency direct-care workers at a holiday gathering at the Warren L. and Charles C. Allen Jr. CHEER Community Center. Several workers were acknowledged for their years of service and quality of service to senior citizens in Sussex County. Receiving the highest award were four workers who were named DCWs of the Quarter. Their names will be engraved on a plaque that hangs in the community center.
The Winter 2016 DCW of the Quarter was Pat Ammerman of Lewes. She joined the CHEER PASA team in February 2016. Since then, she has had an almost perfect attendance record. She has called out only one day in the past 22 months (671 days). Her paperwork is always submitted on time and is always correct. She is always willing to take fill-in requests. One client said, “She is absolutely wonderful – the best care worker I have ever had." Another said, "Pat is so empathetic, hardworking and got everything done that I needed, and still had time to make us feel as we were the center to her visit."
Yvonne Cannon of Millsboro received the distinction of Spring 2017 DCW of the Quarter. Cannon's clients always have kind words to say about her. They describe her as having the best personality, and as "an angel and a definite asset." She is always on time to assignments and has only been absent two times in the past two years. She has been radiating her beautiful smile to CHEER customers for the past 11 years.
Receiving the Summer 2017 DCW of the Quarter award was Barbara Hanley of Laurel. Having been with CHEER only for a year-and-a-half, Hanley has made a positive mark as the go-to person. Whenever coverage is needed on the western side of the county, she is always willing to lend a hand and accepts fill-in assignments graciously. According to her supervisor, she is mild-mannered and easygoing, and nothing seems to ruffle her feathers. She never complains about how difficult a customer may be, and considers it an honor to help others. In 17 months of employment with CHEER, Hanley has only been absent twice. Her paperwork is excellent, and she is an outstanding example for others.
The Fall 2017 DCW of the Quarter award was presented to Paulette Jones of Seaford. She has logged 15 years of service with CHEER, and her customers absolutely love her, and she loves them. Not missing one day of work in over a year-and-a-half, Jones often forgoes her own vacation time because she puts the needs of her customers above her own. She is always willing to travel wherever needed to whichever corner of Sussex County, and is willing to work weekends, long hours, and overnights. Jones never hesitates to help out when called upon for emergency around-the-clock service. Her smile and her laugh are very infectious to CHEER.
This past fiscal year, CHEER's PASA program has provided record-setting amounts of service hours to its customers in Sussex County. CHEER employs 84 direct care workers and serves over 250 customers. In appreciation for the DCWs who have provided the most hours of service in the past fiscal year, CHEER acknowledged Nancy Smith of Frankford for the most hours of service at 2,811. Rounding out the top five are: Lashonda Stanley, Bridgeville, 2,794; Paulette Jones, Seaford, 2,725; Laura Pusey, Seaford, 2,619; and Tradina Snead, Bridgeville, 2,401. The top five have averaged 54.25 hours per week.
Service pins were presented in five-year increments. Recipients were: 20 years – Alice Fitchett (Seaford) and Carole Gourley (Laurel); 15 years – Cathy Baumann (Georgetown), Annie Clark (Bridgeville), Arlene Greene (Seaford), and Tradina Snead (Bridgeville); 10 years – Ronda Dobson (Laurel); and 5 years – Brenda Schafer (Millsboro) and Ryan Taylor (Seaford).
CHEER Personal Assistance Services Agency provides senior citizens in Sussex County with care in their own homes for illnesses, recovery from surgery, disabilities and other temporary or chronic conditions. The mission is to provide assistance to customers within their home to help maintain a healthy lifestyle and environment while preserving independence. For more information, call 302-854-9555.
