Date: October 31, 2007
About: Sandy Schmidt - Class of 1960

Broadcaster, Senior Council Director Earn Annual Older Worker Honors

Source: Quincy Herald-Whig
Author: Edward Husar

John Holm, a longtime employee of WTAD Radio, and Sandy Schmidt, director of the Adams County Senior Citizens Council, won top individual honors at the second annual Outstanding Older Worker awards luncheon.

Holm was named Older Worker of the Year in the private sector category while Schmidt won in the public sector category.

Meanwhile, DenLine Uniforms was named the top private sector employer, and the Adams County Senior Citizens Council was named the top public sector employer.

The winners were announced during an awards luncheon Tuesday at the Quincy Senior and Family Resource Center as part of National Employ the Older Worker Week. The event was co-sponsored by the West Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging and Addus HealthCare.

The awards program honors employees who demonstrate an excellent work ethic and serve as good role models for mature workers. It also honors employers who demonstrate a commitment to hire, retain and promote the cause of older workers.

Holm, nominated by co-workers, was recognized for his years of service and professionalism. Holm joined WTAD in the 1970s and has worked as a "record spinner," producer of local and national sports events, news reporter and newscast anchor.

"He is truly proof of the importance and value of older workers in our community," said co-worker Mary Griffith, who served as master of ceremonies of the awards program.

Other nominees for the private sector employee award were Joyce Haistings, Marilyn Austin and Helen Wells — all employees of Blessing Hospital — and Harry Crowcroft, who works for Hy-Vee Foods.

Sandy Schmidt was nominated by employees of the Adams County Senior Citizens Council "for her outstanding contribution not only to the seniors that we support but also for the support and understanding she gives to her staff."

The nomination said, in part: "She is very understanding and has a very kind heart and shows this

every day to everyone throughout our organization."

Other nominees in the public sector category were Harold "Harvey" Rudd of the Meals Plus Nutrition Project; James T. Mallory, Adams County Senior Council; Ardith Clair, North Adams Home; Anna Mae Cooley, Pike County Senior Services; and Fern Rich, Operation Able.

DenLine Uniforms was nominated for targeting older workers as its primary source of employees since the company's founding in 1992. About 80 percent of DenLine's 13 Quincy employees are over 55.

Dennis Adams, co-owner, praised older workers for their reliability and dependability.

"They bring a wealth of experience to the job, which helps them make decisions. And that experience enables them to work more independently and requires less supervision," he said.

Other private sector nominees were Blessing Health System, Addus HealthCare and Quincy Maid Rite.

The Adams County Senior Citizens Council was nominated for its commitment to recruit and hire older workers.

"For the past 10 years, they have always posted any job openings with the local senior employment services and other older worker specialists," nominators wrote. "They have also served as a host agency for the Senior Community Service Employment Program."

Other nominees in the public sector category were West Central Illinois Center for Independent Living and the Meals Plus Nutrition Program.


Contact Staff Writer Edward Husar at ehusar@whig.com
or (217) 221-3378.