Caledonia Argus

Employees, businesses honored by ABC

Posted: 11/11/03

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Four awards were presented on Thursday, October 30 at ABC, (Ability Building Center), Works, and Woodland Industries annual appreciation and awards night at the Four Seasons Community Center in Caledonia. They include two Employee and two Employer of the Year awards.

Woodland Industries and ABC Works are organizations that help adults with different levels of developmental and physical disabilities work on jobs in-house or in the community.

David Kruckow, ABC Works Employee of the Year

David Kruckow is a busy guy and doesnít mind working in the cold to get the job done.

His hard work was first noticed by ABC Works and he was recognized as ìEmployee of the Yearî.

Kruckow has been with ABC Works since 1996. He spends between 23 and 25 hours a week on his jobs which include: recycling two days a week at the Houston Liquor store, doing janitorial work at the Kwik Trip in Caledonia, stocking at Solie Services in Spring Grove, delivering Foxy Shoppers, and delivering buttons and supplies to Blumenthal Company in Lansing.

Cathy McCabe, ABC Works employment Coordinator, said Kruckow takes pride in his work. ìHeís one of these people when they start a job, he always finishes it,î she said.

Tim Link, Woodland Industries Employee of the Year

Tim Link has worked for Woodland Industries for four years and was named Employee of the Year.

He was one of four employees nominated by staff and then chosen by his co-workers for the award. Link said, ìWorking with the people here make it special.î

Roger ìMacî McCabe, Woodland Industries manager, noted that Link is willing to try new things and has a positive attitude toward his work and co-workers.

ìHe always has a smile and a ëGood Morning.í Itís gets everyoneís day off to a good start,î said McCabe.

Linkís work involves filling and putting the finishing touches on retriever trainers which is foam folded into material and used to train dogs for duck hunting. Link also makes the golf grips that go on the sorting poles, which is an instrument used for sorting farm animals.

Woodland Industries Employer of the Year

Two businesses were chosen Employer of they Year by Woodland Industries. They include Natural Resource and Conservation Service, and the Farm Service Agency, both located in the same building in Caledonia.

Rose Kuecker and Harlen Lien, with the help of Woodland Industries Supervisor Audrey Stadtler, clean the offices in the building used by these agencies.

Roger McCabe of Woodland Industries explained why they were chosen: ìTheir flexibility with us, theyíre willing to give us the chance that they can do it.î

ABC Works Employer of The Year

Gerri Schroeder really appreciates the work of Jenny Gregerson and Jeff Landson, especially on days theyíre unable to work at the Lutheran Home.

ìBecause then I have to do it,î laughs Schroeder, who is a job coach for ABC (Ability Building Center).

The Lutheran Home was recently chosen by ABC as Employer of the year because of the way it includes Gregerson and and Landsom with the inner workings of the Lutheran Home.

Judy Wandling, ABC Director, said, ìEveryoneís very nice to these two, they stop and talk and say hello.î

Lloyd Swalve, Executive Director for the Lutheran Home noted, ìWe enjoy their smiling faces and it adds a lot to the workplace.î

Landsom began employment in 2002 and works five days a week doing janitorial work like scrubbing floors and vacuuming rooms.

Gregerson has worked there since 1997 and works three days a week doing recycling.

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