Emmick receives Echelbarger Award

Posted December 28, 2009

Ginny Emmick, Clear Lake, was named Outstanding Employee of the Year 2009 at Opportunity Village during the staff Christmas party in December.

Emmick received the Shirley Echelbarger Award from CEO John Severtson. The award is named after an early employee of the Village who was known for her dedication and service.

Emmick was honored for being "willing to do any task necessary to assist the people we serve," according to one nomination. Earlier this year, she advocated for a person served who was at first denied a medical procedure, seeking a second opinion and getting care for the person that resulted in a better quality of life. One nominator said, "I'm daily amazed at her devotion. I learn daily from her and her faith."

The Echelbarger Award winner is selected from winners in the past two years of the Tom Thornblade Award, another employee honor at the Village. Emmick received the Thornblade Award this past spring. She began working at Opportunity Village in 1996 and currently is a Personal Aid/Medication Aid in Bedrock Cottage.

Seven Thornblade awards are given each year. The Tom Thornblade Award is named for another former staff member and is funded by the Martin Koldyke family. In addition to Gabrielson, the Thornblade Award winners for 2009 included Heather Waugh, Clear Lake; Dixie Lundquist, Clear Lake; Bonnie Bradbury, Nora Springs; Lori Clemons, Thornton; Jason Peterson, Clear Lake; and Amy Neumann, Clear Lake.