A real Jewel indeed!
Being the mother of three, it has become natural for Althea Williams to assist those around her, but she never knew that just simply being kind would have brought her the recognition she received last week.
On Thursday, April 3 at the annual staff awards ceremony, “Saluting Our Stars, at the Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort and Spa, Williams copped the top prize as Employee of the Year, walking away with several prizes in the process.
Tears of joy flowed as the announcement was made and the dinning room staff member made her way to the platform to collect her numerous prizes which includes a week’s stay at a Florida hotel. She also won for herself airline tickets and a cash prize of over $150, 000.
“I am speechless. I didn’t expect it but I am glad and I am proud,” Williams told the Jamaica Observer in an interview following the awards ceremony.
Williams, a resident of Steer Town, St Ann, has been with the hotel since it opned in 2010. The property was the former Sandals Dunn’s River.
She said that she had always wanted to work in the hotel industry and was happy that her work, although not at management level, was paying off.
“I am happy working at the Jewel Dunn’s River,” she stated.
“I have a lot of confidence in myself and I love to help others, especially my team members. Whenever they have any problems they always come to me and I always try to help them,” Williams said.
She believes that being the mother of three children ages 19, 15 and five, has helped to create the caring personality that she possesses.
“I know that is why,” she stated.
She went on to explain that her children were very happy for her, because she has been a hardworking mother.
Williams, who has given eight years to the hotel industry, explained that she has been able to balance caring for her children and work, with the help of her mother.
Williams intends to continue providing her services in the tourism industry, serving both visitors and her fellow co-workers to the best of her ability.
The woman who also loves singing said that she intends to open her own business one day.
Over 50 employees were recognised by the Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort and Spa at the awards.
Second runner-up in the Employee of the Year category was Monique Davy from the Front Office Department, while Olivene Richards from the Accounts Department was first runner-up.
With 102 sponsors for the prestigious events, employees walked away with cash prizes, in addition to gift items ranging from weekend passes to other hotels and passes to several attractions, as well as items such as television sets, microwaves, cellular phones, laptop computers and computer tablets.
Walking away with the prize for Supervisor of the Year was Wenden Henry of the Food and Beverage Department. In addition to gift items, Henry won over $100, 000 in cash. The Manager of the Year award went to Maygon Allen of the Accounts Department who also won over $100, 000 in cash in addition to several gift items.
Other PRIZES included the Most Exemplary Award won by Kerecia Stewart; the Smile Award which went to Denvaleen Brown; Sales Achievement Award to Kerry-Ann Lewis; Chef of the Year was Kevin Hanson and Kevin Findieson was recognised as Jewel Ambassador for 2013.
The top department for 2013 was the Stewarding Department.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Managing Director of the Jewel Resort Carol Burke said that “each person was definitely a winner.”
The employees were motivated on Thursday by guest speaker Dr Nsombe Jaja who encouraged them to pursue their purpose in life.
Singer Tanya Stephens entertained.
