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Date: 1/2/2020
SOUTHWICK – After raising over $11,000 through fundraising, the Resident’s Association gave back to the American Inn’s employees with holiday bonuses and a party on Dec. 18.
Lizzie Demerski, activity director at the American Inn, explained the Resident’s Association consists of all the people who live at the American Inn and act as representative body between the residents and management.
“Their board is the link between management and the American Inn residents. They meet once a month with management and discuss anything they would like to talk about,” she said.
Demerski explained a team of residents from their board organized the entire fundraiser. “They had flyers go out to the residents, they talked about it in their meeting and they had a white board and colored it in like a thermometer,” she said, “That was really cute to show how much they fundraised in the common area and they worked really hard.”
While the Resident’s Association raised more money than ever this year, Demerski explained the Employee Appreciation Fundraiser has been ongoing for several years. She stated in a press release the fund originally began because employees at the American Inn cannot accept personal tips or gifts from the residents.
Association President Dick Williams said that he wanted to make sure all of the employees were treated equally regardless of position. He said, “The most important notion that The Resident’s Association had tried to achieve was to treat every job with the same respect; meaning that the dishwasher who worked a full 40 hour week was considered with the same regard as any other employee.”
Once the fundraiser finished, the Resident’s Association planned a party for the holidays and to give back to the employees, with the help of the American Inn’s Activities Department. For the party the Association brought in soloist Joel Meginsky for a live performance while one of the residents dressed as Santa to pass out the holiday bonuses to each employee.
Demerski said the party was a fun time for all of the employees and showed just how appreciative the residents are.
“It was really sweet, all of the residents banded together and they baked cookies, sweets and goodies. They really made the employees feel special,” she said.
She added that she and the rest of the employees at the American Inn are grateful for the residents and their fundraising efforts. She said, “The employees are really grateful for all of the effort the residents put into the fundraising and the party. We really feel like a big family and appreciate all the hard work and dedication it took to put the party together.”