Stewart Hale
The first Employee Spotlight of 2022 shines on Stewart Hale, Community Manager at Beersheba Heights Tower in McMinnville, who is also a dedicated, year-round volunteer for the Van Buren County Santa Shop, which brings Christmas to 65 families with children who don’t always get a lot of Christmas gifts—or any in some cases.
While most of us are packing up the last of the Christmas decorations, Stewart is already shopping for hundreds of children’s toys and gifts to stock the shelves in preparation for next December’s big event. “We’re looking for closeouts 12 months a year,” laughs Stewart.
Purchasing the toys is only one part of his volunteer duties. Throughout the year, Stewart takes up donations on behalf of the program, organizes the storage spaces and helps the Santa Shop prepare for the big weekend in December when families pick up their gifts.
Stewart uses his eight hours of Volunteer Time Off (VTO) to help with set up on Friday and returns on Saturday to help families with their gift selections. That’s the best part, Stewart says, “it’s a great way to give back and have fun.”
Stewart has a heart for service, an attribute that benefits his community as well as LHP, says Jay Cathey, Regional Property Manager, who supervises Stewart and nominated him for this award. Stewart is one of the first to aid another manager or property when needed. He does so with a goal of reciprocity to those who have been helpful to him, says Stewart, and because “what we do here is important, there’s a mission, and I find that rewarding.”
Do you know an LHP employee who is making a difference for our residents and communities? Someone who’s dedicated and serving the community after hours? Please send an email to our HR inbox humanresources@lhp.net. Let us know about the individual you believe is deserving of the Employee Spotlight recognition and provide as much detail as possible so we can appropriately highlight your nominee. One employee is selected each month, and they receive $100 and the well-deserved recognition.
