Disability:IN honors businesses, employees

Kayne Pyatt, Herald Reporter
Posted 11/1/21

Diability:IN Uinta County annual awards

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Disability:IN honors businesses, employees

Posted

EVANSTON — Due to the continued pandemic, Disability:IN Uinta County Executive Director Wanda Rogers decided to once again hold a parade to honor the 2021 winners of the annual awards in lieu of the customary banquet celebration. On Thursday, Oct. 20, a parade began at the Machine Shop, going down Main Street and ending at the Uinta County Library parking lot.

Leading the parade were American flags carried by participants in the Disability:IN program, followed by the grand marshall, Clancy Marshall. Marshall was born and raised in Evanston and has worked at First Bank for seven years where it is said he has excellent computer skills and likes doing puzzles.

Mark Madia emceed the parade and gave recognition to the many organizations that give time and support to the Disability:IN program.

As the float with the Disability:IN board members and award winners reached the corner of 10th and Main streets, the parade halted and Madia announced this year’s award winners.

The Uinta County Herald received the Above & Beyond award. The Herald has supported Disability:IN for the past 20 years through printing dozens of stories and advertising. Herald editor Bryon Glathar received the award presented by Britt Sloan, chairman of the Disability:IN Uinta County Board of Directors.

Trona Valley Credit Union received the Spirit of Disability:IN Uinta County award for demonstrating exemplary effort to promote the vision, mission and spirit of the program. They continually encourage their employees to serve as mentors to youth, participate in workshops and sponsor events. Disability:IN Treasurer David Benton presented the award to ShanDee Welling of Trona Valley.

This year’s Disability:IN Uinta County Employer of the Year award was presented by board member Marny Huffaker to Joy Bell. Bell is CEO and owner of Compassionate Journey Assisted Living. The award states the management team at Compassionate Living understands the benefits and rewards of employing individuals with disabilities. They ensure employees are afforded the accommodations and support needed to succeed and contribute to the business’s overall accomplishments.

The Employee of the Year award was given to Tanner Spatig, who works at Compassionate Journey and was nominated by his boss, Joy Bell. In her nomination letter, Bell wrote, “I’m nominating Tanner Spatig because he is an outstanding employee. He is very dependable and can be counted on to come to work as scheduled. He always lets us know if he is going to be late or has to be gone. He is always cheerful and helpful, interacts with the residents in assisted living, and they love seeing him. He keeps us in tune with the little things that might be happening with residents. Tanner brings great energy to work and is always busy helping where needed. If he has time, he helps in the kitchen and is quite a good cook. Tanner is quick to tell everyone that he is ‘the boss’ when Joy Bell is gone, but she has the money!”

Bell presented Spatig with the 2021 Employee of the Year Award.