Veterans Home employees honored for suggestions

Ten Missouri Veterans Home employees were recently rewarded for their energy conservation suggestions during a conservation contest held by the Cape Girardeau facility.

The contest was held due to a tight budget and the potential for more cuts, according to Lana Goodin, staff development coordinator.

Sixteen employees participated in the competition, turning in a total of 50 suggestions.

Winning ideas were narrowed down to a list of 11, as some suggestions were duplicated.

The idea for such a contest came from Dennis Todd, the home's supplies and purchasing department head.

Todd is a member of the Employee Relations Committee, which paid out $10 for each of the contest's top 10 money-saving ideas.

Contest winners and their suggestions were:

1. Limit number of styrofoam cups in the dining room, Lana Goodin

2. Regulate heat in the administration office, Kim Dodson

3. Work with Community Based Outpatient Clinic to turn off lights/appliances at night, Lori Hayden

4. Investigate molding and repair as needed around windows, Margaret Friese

5. Turn air curtain on and leave on at the entrance way, Dennis Todd

6. Use stairwell instead of elevator for non-laundry needs, Art Cox

7. Turn off lights in shower rooms/bathrooms when not in use, Vivian Barks

8. Contact utility company for conservation ideas/report on progress, Paul Hill

9. Turn off lights/televisions in resident rooms when they are out, Margaret Friese

10. Same as nine, Charlene Lewis

11. Same as nine, Edna Kluesner