Dungarvin Oklahoma enjoyed a great turnout for its recent staff appreciation picnic at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Team members, the individuals they support, their families and Dungarvin CEO Lori Kress came out to celebrate Dungarvin’s 50th anniversary. The event also honored employees with Milestone Anniversaries, which mark 10 years and every five additional years.
Next year, the Oklahoma team will celebrate its 30 years with Dungarvin, a Minnesota-based disability services organization that has expanded its operations into 17 states over the last five decades. Like all of Dungarvin’s locations around the country, Oklahoma has long-standing employees who have enjoyed fulfilling careers with the organization. This year, eight team members are celebrating Milestone Anniversaries:
- Karla Jones, 25 years
- Eloise McDonald, 20 years
- Betty Gonzalez, 15 years
- Connie Nelson, 15 years
- Julie Rinehard, 15 years
- Gina Gardner, 10 years
- Emily Conway, 10 years
- Kim Brown, 10 years
Karla Jones, with 25 years, is Oklahoma’s State Director. She praised the others on this year’s Milestone Anniversary list. “These folks are exceptional at advocating for the individuals they support and have the resilience of a Rose of Jericho.”
Karla said all at the event had a wonderful time. “The weather was perfect and it was the best turnout for a celebration we’ve ever had,” Karla said, adding that it’s important to acknowledge and honor the dedication and hard work of her team members.
“Dungarvin Founders Tim and Diane Madden gave us the foundation 50 years ago to build on and created a beautiful network of support that focuses on respect, choice and advocacy, and that is something big to celebrate,” Karla continued. “There’s a quote out there that I think is very appropriate for this occasion: ‘A half-century is not just a measure of time, it is a measure of the lives touched, challenges overcome and value created.’”
Congratulations to the Oklahoma team, those with Milestone Anniversaries and to all of Dungarvin!